February 2014

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR ATHENS CO FROM 8PM TUE, 2/4 TO 12 NOON WED, 2/5, WATCH FOR FLOODING CONDITIONS

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Flood Watch

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH FOR ATHENS COUNTY FROM 8 PM TUESDAY, 2/4 THROUGH 12 NOON WEDNESDAY, 2/5.

THE GROUND IS SATURATED AT THE SURFACE AND FROZEN FURTHER DOWN.  A STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THIS STORM HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF PRODUCING RAINFALL AMOUNTS BETWEEN 1.0 AND 1.5 INCHES, STARTING TUESDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. RECENT SNOWS IN SOME AREAS COULD MELT AND ADD TO THE RUNOFF. THERE IS STILL SOME ICE ON THE STREAMS, CREEKS AND RIVERS IN THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS. IF THIS RAIN IS REALIZED, SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS COULD FLOOD FIRST LEADING TO STRONG RISES ON THE RIVERS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.  YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Athens Co Emergency Warning Sirens in Nelsonville and The Plains will be tested at 12 Noon on Wed, 2/5

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Siren Test

The outdoor emergency warning sirens in Nelsonville and The Plains will be tested at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, with a one minute sounding of the sirens. Local residents are asked not to call local emergency agencies inquiring why the sirens are sounding.

The outdoor warning siren system is normally tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. The monthly test will be cancelled if severe weather is threatening. If severe weather cancels the test it will be postponed until the next month.  There are three conditions that result in the warning sirens being activated in Athens County.

1)     Severe Weather

a)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Tornado Warning for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

b)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (winds 58+ mph, large hail, severe lightening and heavy rains), for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

2)     When there is an actual enemy or terrorist attack against the United States has been detected and is threatening areas of Athens County and protective action should be taken immediately.

3)     When a public safety emergency occurs the sirens will be used to alert the public of emergencies such as hazardous materials incidents and civil disturbances.

When the outdoor warning sirens are sounded for an emergency they will be activated for five minutes. When you hear the warning sirens you should do the following;

DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 to ask why the sirens are sounding as this can overload the 9-1-1 emergency response system.

Remember, outdoor warning sirens are just that, out-door warning. The sirens are meant to be heard outside to signal you to go indoors and tune your radio or television station to the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) Station. As homes continue to become more energy efficient and sound proofing enhanced, outdoor warning sirens that once could be heard decades ago inside of a home can no longer be heard. That’s why other means of warning are in place.

Go immediately to a safe area in your home or building, if high winds, severe thunder and lightning are present.

If you are outside away from possible shelter, lie flat on the ground away from trees until the storm passes. If in a vehicle, get out and find a more substantial structure.

Carry a battery operated radio or NOAA all hazard alert radio to your safe area. You will know when the storm or emergency has passed and when it is clear to leave your safe area.

The Athens County SIRENS DO NOT identify specific types of storms or emergencies, therefore you should immediately seek shelter and tune to local television or radio for further information.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW IN EFFECT FOR ATHENS CO UNTIL 10AM MON, 2/3, PREPARE FOR SEVERE WINTER WEATHER!

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Winter storm warning

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW, WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM MONDAY, 2/3. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

HAZARD TYPES – HEAVY WET SNOW.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS – 4 TO 7 INCHES.

TIMING – OVERNIGHT.

IMPACTS – ROADS MAY BECOME SNOW COVERED ALONG WITH REDUCED VISIBILITIES, MAKING FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. SOME IMPACTS TO THE MONDAY MORNING COMMUTE ARE POSSIBLE. THERE MAY BE SOME POWER FLUCTUATIONS AND EVEN SOME DOWNED SMALL LIMBS DUE TO THE HEAVY NATURE OF THE EXPECTED SNOW.

WINDS – NORTH 5 TO 10 MPH.

TEMPERATURES – FALLING THROUGH THE 20S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.  ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT, FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

PLEASE REPORT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800-401-9535, WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.  THIS PHONE NUMBER IS TO BE USED FOR REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY.

YOU CAN ALSO REPORT WINTER WEATHER BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE OR BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG, #NWSRLX.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/RLX.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY SNOW FOR ATHENS CO FROM 7 PM SUN 2/2 TO 10AM MON 2/3, WATCH FOR CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS!

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Winter Weather Advisory

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FOR ATHENS COUNTY FROM 7 PM SUNDAY, 2/2 TO 10 AM MONDAY, 2/3.

HAZARD TYPES – HEAVY WET SNOW WITH POSSIBLY A NARROW ZONE OF FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET DURING THE CHANGEOVER.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS – 2 TO 4 INCHES.

TIMING – RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE TO SNOW SUNDAY NIGHT FROM WEST TO EAST, BEFORE ENDING MONDAY MORNING. THERE MAY BE A PERIOD OF SLEET ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE ADVISORY AREA BEFORE THE CHANGEOVER TO SNOW.

IMPACTS – ROADS MAY BECOME SNOW COVERED ALONG WITH REDUCED VISIBILITIES, MAKING FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. SOME IMPACTS TO THE MONDAY MORNING COMMUTE ARE POSSIBLE. THERE MAY BE SOME POWER FLUCTUATIONS AND EVEN SOME DOWNED SMALL LIMBS DUE TO THE HEAVY NATURE OF THE EXPECTED SNOW.

WINDS – NORTH 5 TO 10 MPH.

TEMPERATURES – AROUND 30.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

PLEASE REPORT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE, 800-401-9535, WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.  THIS PHONE NUMBER IS TO BE USED FOR REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY.

YOU CAN ALSO REPORT WINTER WEATHER BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE OR BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG, #NWSRLX.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.  ADDITIONAL DETAILS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/RLX.