- November 18, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Most Palm Coast residents who got an emergency tornado notification before the city’s December tornado did nothing to protect themselves, according to a University of Missouri-Columbia research study.
Of 1,038 residents polled, 55% took no action, 41% sheltered in a safe place inside, and 4% went to a safe place outside, according to a Palm Coast news release citing the study findings.
The research study, led by Ormond Beach graduate student Stephanie Meyers, included surveys of Palm Coast residents as part of a larger effort to learn about emergency tornado notification.
Other major study findings for Palm Coast include:
· Only about half of residents surveyed knew there was a possibility of tornadoes in Palm Coast that day.
· A total of 71% of survey respondents were registered to receive CodeRed Weather Warnings through a program offered by the City and Flagler County.
· Most Palm Coast residents received warnings about the tornado through their cellphone. The second most common method was television. Younger respondents were more likely to receive the warning through their cellphone, whereas older residents were more likely to receive it from TV.
· A total of 66% of those surveyed indicated they had enough warning of the tornado.
· Residents felt mobile telephones were 17% more important than other communication devices for receiving future tornado alerts.
Palm Coast is encouraging residents to register for CodeRED emergency alerts and and weather warnings. Register online at palmcoastgov.com/emergency or FlaglerEmergency.com, or by calling Palm Coast Customer Service at 986-2360. Weather warnings are sent through a separate system than regular emergency alerts, so residents who want those as well must opt-in during the sign-up process.
There are now about 16,765 people enrolled in CodeRED in Palm Coast and Flagler County, and 11,551 enrolled in Weather Warning enrollments, according to the press release.
To read the tornado study — “New Media for Emergency Tornado Notification” — go to palmcoastgov.com/emergency and click “tornado study.”
BOX: WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A WARNING
If you’re in a building:
· Go to a pre-designated safe area, preferably the center of a small interior room on the lowest level — like a closet or an inside hallway — and stay away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as you can between yourself and the outside, and get under a sturdy table and protect your head and neck with your arms.
· If you’re in a high-rise, try to get to a small inside room or hallway on the bottom floor.
· Put on sturdy shoes, if possible.
· Do not open windows.
In you are in a trailer or manufactured building:
· Get out and go to a pre-identified safe spot. Mobile homes and trailers provide little protection. Get to a nearby building or storm shelter.
If you are outdoors with no shelter:
· There is no single, research-based recommendation for what to do if you’re stuck outside with a tornado, because so many factors could affect the decision.
Possible course of action include:
· Getting into a car and driving to shelter. If your car is hit by debris, pull over and park.
· Take cover in a vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and whatever else is available and soft, like a blanket, coat or cushion.
· Lie down in an area lower than the level of the roadway, and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion.
