SEATTLE – The Pacific Northwest’s record-breaking, dry, warm Fall weather is about to take a turn, meaning winter storms are not far away. Take Winter By Storm – a campaign to help citizens get prepared before bad weather strikes – and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) joined forces today to launch the annual preparedness campaign and urge citizens to take action.
”When this dry, early Fall weather pattern breaks, it may be abrupt.” said Ted Buehner, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with NOAA’s National Weather Service Seattle. “Citizens need to be weather ready, and can find the toos and tips they need at TakeWinterByStorm.org.”
In past years that featured similar conditions, such as 2006 and 2009, the dry weather changed dramatically, bringing heavy rain, flooding, wind storms and snow. “The bottom line,” says Buehner, “citizens need to be ready in advance, and watch, listen and monitor weather forecasts. Don’t wait until the storm strikes to prepare – that’s too late!”
This Friday (Oct. 12), marks the 50th anniversary of the devastating Columbus Day Storm of 1962 – a slightly similar weather pattern to this year’s – that resulted in wide-spread power outages and 46 deaths across the Pacific Northwest. Individual emergency preparedness steps taken now can avoid a repeat of this storm’s deadly impact.
Helping the effort to educate citizens about the importance of winter weather preparedness is returning local icon The Wheedle. The loveable, large, round, furry creature and former sports mascot has been gifted to the Take Winter By Storm campaign by “Wheedle on the Needle” author Stephen Cosgrove. As the story goes, Wheedle’s bright red nose blinks at the top of the Space Needle for all to see.
“As a former member of the extended Seattle family, I know what it is like to be caught ‘unprepared’ by a winter storm,” said Cosgrove. “I’m delighted to let the magic of Wheedle help keep people safe.”
The Wheedle joined the campaign at a presentation today donning a Bartell Drugs personal preparedness kit and embraced its role as the Take Winter By Storm mascot. Wheedle will be appearing at various events throughout the region and will be the main character in educational outreach to school children and their families about winter weather preparedness.
Theron Andrews, vice president of marketing at Bartell Drugs, also joined the launch of the campaign bringing along with him a variety of preparedness kits for every possible need: car, home, work, pets, family, and home maintenance and weatherization.
“Bartell Drugs makes a special effort to have a wide selection of preparedness items available before and during the winter season so our customers can be prepared and stay safe when bad weather strikes,” said Andrews. “We’re proud to say that we carry every single one of the recommended preparedness items on the Take Winter By Storm checklists, and, in the event of a storm, Bartell Drugs will do everything we can to stay open to serve your personal needs.”
The Take Winter By Storm campaign is a collaborative, public-private effort spanning Western Washington that includes the City of Seattle, Puget Sound Energy, State Farm, NOAA’s National Weather Service, American Red Cross and Bartell Drugs. These organizations – which represent Washington state’s largest city emergency management offices and energy utilities, as well as weather forecasters, first responders, the leading insurer of homes and automobiles, and local businesses – have joined forces in the major multi-media public awareness campaign to raise community awareness of hazardous weather and encourage behaviors that help protect lives and property.
The Take Winter By Storm website, TakeWinterByStorm.org, is a one-stop emergency preparedness information hub that includes safety tips and regional resources related to high winds, heavy rain, snow, freezing conditions, power outages, flooding and more.
- The public is encouraged to take the following actions in preparation to be storm ready:
- Create an emergency preparedness kit with at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for your home and office. Kits prepared for vehicle road travel and winter weather evacuation go-kits are also advised.
- Make a plan and practice the plan with your family and those who depend on you.
- Stay informed and monitor the weather approaching so you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way.
- Visit TakeWinterByStorm.org for more information and helpful resources, such as a downloadable preparedness and maintenance checklists and emergency contact cards.
- You can find Take Winter By Stormon TV, radio, the Internet, as well as on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter:
- Facebook.com/TakeWinterByStorm
- YouTube.com/TakeWinterByStorm
- Twitter.com @WinterByStorm, #stormready, #winterprep
For more information on the Take Winter by Storm campaign:
Visit us online: www.takewinterbystorm.org
Like us on Facebook: Take Winter By Storm
Follow us on Twitter: @WinterByStorm, #stormready, #winterprep
View us on YouTube: Take Winter By Storm
Take Winter By Storm – Page 3 of 3
About Take Winter By Storm
The Take Winter By Storm campaign is made possible by the following Partners: Bartell Drugs, City of Seattle, King County, Puget Sound Energy and State Farm; Sponsors: Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities and Snohomish PUD; Community Supporters: City of Bellevue Office of Emergency Management and Pierce County; and Participating Supporters: American Red Cross, City of Seattle Department of Planning & Development, Goodwill, King County Flood District, NOAA/National Weather Service, Seattle Department of Transportation, and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management.
