PREPAREDNESS
SEVERE WEATHER and TORNADOES
• Sign up for RAVE alerts. Tyler and Smith County switched from Code Red to Smart 911 and the RAVE Alert system through their partnership with the ETCOG.
o City of Tyler residents: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action?cdnExternalPath= or click on the link at http://fire.cityoftyler.org and scroll to the bottom of the page
o Smith County residents: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=smithcounty or visit https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/emergency-management
• Download the Red Cross “Emergency and First Aid” app from your smart device's app store
• Listen to warning sirens, where available
• Monitor local TV and radio weather stations for the latest updates
• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio
• Build an emergency kit (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit) and have a family communications plan (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)
• Encourage your friends and family to be trained in CPR and first aid, including bleeding control
• Be alert to changing weather conditions and look for approaching storms
• Be prepared to take shelter immediately if you see any of the warning signs or if a tornado warning is issued for your area
o Dark, greenish sky
o Large, dark, low-flying clouds, especially one that is rotating
Extra Measures for People with Special Needs
o Large hail o Roar, like a train
• Write down your specific needs, limitations, capabilities, and medications. Keep this list near you always--perhaps in your purse or wallet
• Find someone nearby (a spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker) who will agree to assist you in an emergency. Give this person a copy of your list. You may also want to provide a spare key to your home or directions to find a key
• Keep aware of weather conditions through whatever means are accessible to you, such as closed captioning or scrolled warnings on TV
• People with disabilities, such as access and functional needs, limited mobility, communication barriers, transportation assistance, personal care, and special medical assistance, should register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Register (STEAR)-Public https://www.tdem.texas.gov/response/state-of-texas-emergency-assistance-registry
• STEAR Direct Signup. https://stear.tdem.texas.gov/Login.aspx
• If you do not have access to the internet, you can register for STEAR over the phone by dialing 211.
IDENTIFICATION OF ISOLATED/ELDERLY AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS
7-10% may not have a telephone. Action individuals or agencies include:
• Local Fire Departments
• Neighborhood Crime Watch
• Local Law Enforcement Agencies (especially Beat Officers)
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• Meals on Wheels
• Senior Citizen Center
• Hospital Social Workers
• Home Health Nursing
• Animal Control Officers
WELFARE CONCERNS
• Church Volunteers
• Citizen Volunteers
• Friends and Family
• Public Health Case Managers/Outreach Workers
• Emergency Care Centers/Emergency Rooms/other Medical Facilities
• East Texas Council for Independent Living, for disabled residents
Should concern arise and a visit be necessary, please get in touch with the Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1000, the Smith County Sheriff’s Department at (903) 566-6600, or call 911.
DURING A TORNADO OR SEVERE WEATHER
• Activation of outdoor warning sirens
o When outdoor warning sirens are activated for a tornado or severe weather, it is crucial to take immediate action to ensure safety.
• If you are in a sturdy shelter
o Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, a basement, a storm cellar, or the lowest level in the building. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level, away from doors, windows, and outside walls.
o Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If you are in a manufactured home or office
o Get out immediately. Go to a pre-identified location, such as the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection
• If you are outside with no shelter, there is no research-based recommendation for the best lastresort action you should take; many factors affect your decision. However, possible actions include
o Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Pull over and park if your vehicle is hit by flying debris while driving Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
o If unable to reach a sturdy shelter, take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put on your seat belt and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat, or other cushion, if possible.
o Lie in an area noticeably lower than the roadway level and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
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• In all situations:
o Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
o Watch out for flying debris. Most fatalities and injuries are caused by flying debris
POST ACTIONS: SEVERE WEATHER INCIDENT
Many injuries occur after a tornado while walking through debris or entering or exiting damaged buildings. Proper care must be taken to avoid further injury or death.
• General precautions
o Continue to monitor battery-powered radio for news and weather
o Use battery-powered flashlights. Do not use open flames, such as a candle
o Cooperate fully with public safety officials
o Do not enter damaged structures
o Be aware of hazards from broken glass, nails, and debris
o Reportdownedpowerlinesto911.Donottouchdownedpowerlinesorobjectsthatarein contact with downed power lines
o Respond to requests for volunteer assistance by public safety officials and relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless assistance has been requested. Your presence could hamper relief efforts, and you could endanger yourself and others
o If your home is damaged, shut off utilities to avoid fire, electrocution, and explosion
• Injuries
o Check for injuries
o Call 911
o Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury
o If someone has stopped breathing, begin CPR. If you are not trained in CPR, 911 can guide you through the proper procedure.
o If you are trapped or discover someone trapped, try to attract attention to your location and notify 911. Only attempt to rescue if the victim’s life is in imminent danger and use extreme caution. If possible, wait for First Responders to arrive.
• Other unsafe conditions
o Immediately report all unsafe conditions to 911
POWER LINE / TREE LIMB ISSUES
To report electrical / power line issues or tree limb concerns, call Oncor at (888) 313-6862 or visit the website at http://www.askoncor.com/.
HAZARDOUS STREETS
To report hazardous street conditions in the City of Tyler, call (903) 535-1000. In Smith County, call (903) 566-6600
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Health Care Facilities
o Christus Trinity Mother Frances - Telecare Plus (903) 531-5678 or (800) 535-9799
o UT Health Tyler 903-597-0351
o UT Health Center at Tyler Emergency Room (903) 877-7777
SHELTERS
Overnight Locations:
• Salvation Army 24-hour shelter for people experiencing homelessness or near-homeless with a capacity of 200.
Additional space for 250 will be available in the Disaster Shelter. (903) 592-4361.
• Red Cross is open on demand, dependent upon declared emergency. Matt Brown, Disaster Program Manager, (903) 581-7981 or (903) 216-6786
Daytime Locations:
• Medical facilities include local hospitals, clinics, and stand-alone emergency rooms.
• Salvation Army 633 N. Broadway, Open 24 hours, seven days a week, (903) 592-4361
• Local Fire Stations: Check individual facilities regarding activities and accommodations
• Broadway Square Mall and other retail outlets on the city bus route
• Hiway 80 Rescue Mission 601 E. Valentine (903) 617-6097 or (903) 216-9183 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Movie Theatres: Check individual facilities regarding activities and accommodations
• Churches: Check individual facilities regarding activities and accommodations
• Schools: On hold currently. It depends on a declared emergency and whether a school is in session
City of Tyler Facilities:
• Tyler Fire Department: Various locations. Call 903-535-0005 or 911
• Glass Recreation Center: 501 W. 32nd St., Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.3 p.m., closed Sunday. Open to the public during posted hours with an estimated capacity of 500 individuals. Activities can be scheduled by calling (903) 595-7271
• Tyler Public Library: 201 S. College. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Open to the public during posted hours, with an estimated capacity of 120 individuals. Activities can be scheduled through the library for Taylor Auditorium (capacity 100) by calling (903) 593-7323
• SeniorCitizenActivityCenter: 1915GardenValleyRoad,(903)597-0781foradditionalinformation about services, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, estimated capacity 125
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• Rose Garden: 420 Rose Park Drive, (903) 531-1349, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with an estimated capacity of 200
Smith County Day Time Locations
• Smith County Office of Emergency Management (903) 590-2655
• Smith County ESD #1 (903) 882-3443
• Smith County ESD #2 (903) 617-6578
• Smith County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency (903)566-6600
• 911
WATER
Bottled water might be available from:
• Salvation Army (903) 592-4361 www.salvationarmytexas.org/tyler
• PATH (903) 597-4044 www.pathhelps.org
DONATIONS OF MATERIALS
The following agencies working in close partnership will accept donations of food, water, and other supplies and appropriately distribute them. This includes donated transportation services:
• Tyler Fire Department (903) 535-0005
• People Attempting to Help (PATH) (903) 597-4044
• Salvation Army (903) 592-4361
• Meals on Wheels (903) 593-7385
• KLTV Channel 7 (903) 510-7777
• KETK NBC56 (903) 581-5656
• KYTX CBS19 (903) 581-2211
• Smith County ESD #2 and Volunteer Fire Departments (903) 617-6578
• Smith County Office of Emergency Management (903) 590-2655
National Weather Service Reporting
Dial #1-800-551-8338 Sky Warn Spotter reporting line to report severe weather events. For additional information regarding severe weather information and safety tips, go to: Https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Go to Ready.gov | FEMA.gov for additional information and guides to build your emergency disaster kit and create a disaster or emergency plan.
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