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PARK COUNTY HAZARDS from the Park County, Colorado Emergency Preparedness Guide

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PARK COUNTY HAZARDS from the Park County, Colorado Emergency Preparedness Guide PARK COUNTY HAZARDS from the Park County, Colorado Emergency Preparedness Guide Here in Park County, the natural disasters we see most commonly include: Thunderstorms/Lightning Winter Storms Extreme Cold Temperatures Flash Flooding Fire (both structural and wild land) Other hazards include: Power Outages Hazardous Material Spills Tornadoes Terrorism Avalanches Violence in Schools NOAA Weather Radio Stations in and near Colorado 162.400: Greeley, Pueblo, Sterling 162.450: Fort Collins 162.475: Alamosa, Colorado Springs, Longmont / Cheyenne, Wyoming 162.500: La Junta 162.525: Bethune 162.550: Denver, Grand Junction LIGHTNING Most people struck by lightning are not in the rain. Lightning can strike 5 to 10 miles in advance of the storm. If you feel your skin tingle and your hair stands on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, put your hands on top of your head and place your head between your legs. DO NOT LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND! Flash-to-Bang Ratio When you see lightning, count how many seconds until you hear thunder. If the time is 5 seconds, the lightning was one mile away; if it is 10 seconds, the lightning is two miles away. Seek shelter if the lightning moves to within four miles of your direction. Quickly go inside a completely enclosed building. If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all metal vehicle. The “30-30 Rule” Take cover if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of the lightning flash. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder before resuming normal activity. FLOODING In Colorado, river floods occur most often in association with snow melt in May and June. The flash flood season extends from May to September with July and August as the primary months. Flash floods result from heavy rainfall (especially in burnt areas), snowmelt, and dam/levee failures. Flash floods can erode an entire mountainside, roll boulders the size of trucks, tear out trees, roads and bridges, and cause the loss of lives. Rain-weakened soils can also result in mudslides capable of closing interstates and blocking escape routes. THUNDERSTORM WATCH Conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce wind gusts to 58 mph or stronger or hail to ¾ inch or larger in the watch area. THUNDERSTORM WARNING A severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar or by a trained spotter. Take cover. TORNADO WATCH Be alert and prepared to go to a safe shelter if a Warning is issued. TORNADO WARNING A tornado has been spotted or Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm circulation which could spawn a tornado. WINTER STORM WATCH Severe weather may affect your area. Be alert, a storm is likely. WINTER STORM WARNING Severe weather conditions are definitely on the way. Take action; the storm is in your area. BLIZZARD WARNING Large amounts of falling snow and wind are expected for several hours. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists. FLASH FLOOD WATCH or FLOOD WATCH Be alert to signs of flash flooding. Be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice. FLASH FLOOD WARNING A flash flood is imminent. Act quickly to save yourself because you may only have seconds. FLOOD WARNING Flooding has been reported or is imminent. Take necessary precautions at once. .
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