Winter Weather Preparedness Tips

Even though some portions of the state have already experienced their first winter precipitation this season, it's not too late for all of Oklahoma to become winter weather prepared. Toward that effort, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has joined the National Weather Service (NWS) in recognizing Wednesday, Dec. 1 as Winter Weather Awareness Day.
With winter weather comes the need to prepare your home, automobile and family to deal with the colder temperatures, as well as the possibility for snow and ice.
"It's especially timely to review winter weather travel safety plans since more people will be on the road during the holiday period," explained OEM Director Albert Ashwood. "Before setting out on a holiday trip we encourage families to make sure they have prepared their automobile. Packing blankets, emergency food and water, flashlights, a radio and cell phone with extra batteries will help you and your family, should you become stranded because of the weather," he said.
It's also important to remember to protect your home. Adding weather stripping and insulation, keeping furnaces clean and ready to use, and being aware of cold temperatures and vulnerable pipes that might freeze mark just some of the actions that can help prevent major and costly winter weather-related damage.
In recent years Oklahoma has experienced some devastating ice storms. The storms were responsible for nearly 40 deaths, power outages for hundreds of thousands and more than $250 million in damages to cities and towns. "By following some simple tips and monitoring the media during times of severe weather, Oklahomans stand their best chance at not becoming a victim of the weather" said Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS Office at Norman.
Winter weather watches and warnings will be issued by the NWS on NOAA Weather Radios and over radio and television stations so that Oklahoman's can stay aware of any hazardous winter weather conditions that may arise.
In addition, OEM is teaming up with local emergency management offices across the state in order to encourage winter weather preparedness activities in all Oklahoma communities. Individuals or groups who would like to host a program to help become better prepared for the next storm should call their local emergency management office.
Below are some winter weather preparedness tips. Citizens who would like more information on how to cope with winter weather should contact local emergency management offices in their area or visit www.srh.noaa.gov/oun on the Internet for more tips, safety guidelines and winter weather definitions.

Be Aware
· Know what winter storm and blizzard watches and warnings mean.
· A National Weather Service Winter Storm watch is a message indicating that conditions are favorable for hazardous winter precipitation to develop.
· An NWS warning indicates that a winter storm is occurring or is imminent, and could threaten life and property.
· A blizzard warning means sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater and considerable falling or blowing snow are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
· Depend on your NOAA Weather Radio, along with local radio and television stations for weather reports.

Plan for a Winter Storm
· Develop a Family Disaster Plan for winter storms. Discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together when a winter storm hits.
· Understand the hazards of wind chill. Cold temperatures are even more dangerous, and potentially deadly, when combined with strong winds. The lower the temperature and stronger the wind, the more at risk you are.
· Check on family, friends and neighbors -- especially the elderly. Make sure they are prepared.
· Don't forget about the pets. Make sure they have good food and water supplies and a place to seek shelter.
· Have your car winterized before winter storm season. During winter storm season keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
Protect Your Property
· Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills.
· Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
· To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of old newspapers. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
· Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
· Know how to shut off water valves.
· Install and check smoke alarms.
· Keep safe emergency-heating equipment, such as a fireplace with wood. Always be cautious in using a portable space heater. Consider storing extra heating fuel.

If You Must Go Out During a Winter Storm:
· The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is not to be out in it. Long periods of exposure to severe cold can result in frostbite or hypothermia. It is easy to become disoriented in blowing snow.
· Stretch before you do so. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This will reduce your chances of muscle injury.
· Avoid overexertion, such as shovelling heavy snow, pushing a car or walking in deep snow.
· Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather.
· Dress in many layers and wear a hat and mittens.
· Come inside often for warm-up breaks.
· If you start to shiver or get very tired, or if your nose, fingers, toes, or ear lobes start to feel numb or turn very pale, come inside right away and seek medical assistance. These are the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and need immediate attention.
· Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.
· If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and hang a brightly coloured cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood (after snow stops falling).

Make sure your Winter Storm Disaster Supplies Kit includes:
· A cell phone with extra battery or two-way radio
· Windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal
· Several blankets or sleeping bags
· Rain gear and extra sets of dry clothing, mittens, socks and a cap
· Non-perishable snacks like canned fruit, nuts and other high energy "munchies." Include non-electric can opener if necessary.
· Several bottles of water. Eating snow will lower your body temperature. If necessary, melt it first.
· A small sack of sand or kitty litter for generating traction under wheels, a set of tire chains or traction mats.
· Jumper cables
· A first aid kit
· A flashlight with extra batteries
· A brightly colored cloth to tie to the antenna if you get stranded.

WinterFest 2004

The City of Norman Parks and Recreation is proud to present the 2004 WinterFest Holiday Celebration. This year’s celebration is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM on Friday, December 3rd at Andrews Park.

Attendees can look forward to some great live entertainment from the Eisenhower, Kennedy, Jefferson and Jackson Elementary School Choirs, and the Dazzler Drill Team. The annual tree lighting will be at 6:00 PM with a few holiday remarks from Mayor Harold Haralson. There will also be free photos with Santa for the first 200 families, free refreshments, a moon bounce, Funny Factory Clowns, and balloons.

For more information, please contact the Norman Parks and Recreation Department at 366-5472.

HOLIDAY SAFETY

As the end of the year holidays approach people become busier, excited and at times a little bit careless. The Norman Police Department wants to remind everybody of a few crime prevention/safety tips to make your holidays safer and merrier. We have listed the tips below in various categories.

At Home
Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave your home, even for a few minutes.
Try not to display holiday gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
If you go out for the evening, consider leaving a light and radio or television on, so your home appears to be occupied.
Be wary of strangers soliciting for charitable donations. They may attempt to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holidays.
Avoid leaving boxes that gifts were in out on the curb for trash pickup (especially TV, computer, VCR, etc.).
Test your smoke detectors.
Never leave holiday lights on overnight or when you are going to be away from home.
Use only fire resistant ornaments and lights that are in good working order.
Be careful about leaving any pieces of gift wrapping, bows, and other small items lying around, these things can choke small child.
Never leave candles burning overnight or while you are going to be away from home.

Shopping
Always lock your car with the windows closed and take the keys with you.
Lock your packages and gifts in the trunk of your car where they can not been seen.
If possible, coordinate your shopping trips with a friend, so you will not be shopping alone.
Try to do your shopping before dark if possible, but if not, never park in an unlit lot or area, no matter how convenient.
To discourage purse-snatchers don’t overburden your self with packages.
Report any suspicious activity you notice to the police or store security.
When driving to and from shopping, drive careful and wear your seatbelts.
Watch for traffic while walking to and from stores.
Never leave your purse in a shopping cart and walk away.

*The Norman Police Department will have bike officers at major shopping areas and patrol officers will be providing as much visibility as possible.

Holiday Parties
Have non-alcoholic drinks available for party guests that may be designated drivers.
It is a great idea to have alternative transportation for intoxicated persons. Don’t let guests drink and drive!
Make arrangements ahead of time for any additional parking you may need or have the party at a location that has plenty of parking.
It is also a good idea to contact your neighbors if you are having the party at your home, to make sure they have no objections.
Be very careful with lit candles that may be knocked over by party guests.

Remember while driving, especially during the holiday season, to drive at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions and always wear your seatbelt. The Norman Police Department wishes everyone a very happy holiday season!

The November Edition of the Norman Economic Development Coalition's E-Digest

Joint Ward Meeting

Councilmembers Rachel Butler and David Hopper are pleased to announce their upcoming neighborhood meeting. The meeting will be Thursday, December 2, 2004, at 6:30 PM in the gym at Washington Elementary School (SE 48th, just south of Alameda).

The main topic of discussion will be the discharge of firearms in rural residential areas. Many people in east Norman have expressed concerns related to shooting near their homes. This will be an opportunity to discuss all the issues.

Also on hand will be City Manager Brad Gambill, Police Chief Phil Cotten, Manager of Current Planning Doug Koscinski, and a representative from the city’s legal staff.

Although residents of Wards 5 and 6 are specifically encouraged to attend, all citizens of Norman are invited and welcome to participate in the discussion.

Street Closure

Weather permitting, Friday, November 26, 2004, Robinson Street will be closed west of the intersection of 48th Avenue NW. The closure will last for approximately three months. Haskell Lemon Construction will be performing paving operations in association with the Robinson Street Gap Paving project, which extends from 48th Avenue NW to Brookhaven Boulevard.

The detour route will be 60th Avenue NW (Western Avenue), Tecumseh Road and 48th Avenue NW.

Drivers who wish to avoid the construction on Robinson Street are encouraged to use alternate routes into the City, such as Tecumseh Road.

Thanksgiving Schedule

Due to the holiday, all sanitation operations will be closed Thursday, November 25, 2004, Thanksgiving Day. Residential customers, whose sanitation service is on Thursday, November 25, 2004, will be picked up on Friday, November 26, 2004 and Friday customers will receive service on Saturday, November 27, 2004. Those once a week commercial customers that receive Thursday collection will be picked up another day of the week.

City offices will be closed Thursday, November 25, 2004 and Friday, November 26, 2004 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

City Council Special Session Meeting

OU UPDATE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

THE FUTURE OF FREEDOM: Fareed Zakaria, ABC News political analyst and Newsweek International editor, addressed guestions at a recent OU President's Associates dinner and discussed how American-style democracy and economics don't always translate into freedom in other countries.

NSSL CELEBRATES 40TH YEAR: The National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with public presentations, a sold-out dinner and its first open house since the Sept. 11 attacks.

2005 OU CALENDAR AVAILABLE: The 2005 University of Oklahoma calendar "Of Campus Beautiful by Day and Night" is now available for sale.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Weathernews recently opened its U.S. Operations Center on OU's Research Campus-South.

TULSA COUPLE GIVES TAOS MASTERWORKS: Thanks to a gift from longtime art collectors Priscilla C. and Joseph N. Tate of Tulsa, a major collection of Southwestern paintings will have a new home at OU's Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

OU STUDENTS CREATE BUSINESSES: This year's four Integrated Business Core companies in the Michael F. Price College of Business are now up and running.

UNIVERSITY OUTREACH GETS GRANT: The University Outreach organization at OU's College of Continuing Education received a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will aid children of imprisoned parents.

COLLEGE OF NURSING RECEIVES HONOR: The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center's College of Nursing recently was named the first of three U.S. centers designated as a Joanna Briggs Institute Collaborating Center for Evidence-Based Practice.

OU PROFESSOR APPOINTED TO FDA PANEL: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has invited Dr. Kenneth Dormer, University of Oklahoma professor of physiology, to participate in a panel that will develop a standards guide for pre-clinical testing of new technology in implantable hearing devices.

MINORITIES IN MEDIA: Karla Harshaw, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, led a discussion recently focused on the responsibilities of journalists and readers for diversity in the media.

OU TO PRESENT 'DREAM COURSES': Beginning this spring semester, professors in history, film and video studies, geography, sociology, meteorology, drama and English will have the opportunity to teach their "dream" course and bring in experts from their particular field.

ALUMNI NEWS

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS: For those who are planning ahead for next year, be sure to check out the scholarships for which all students can apply.

OU ARMY ROTC ALUMNI PLAN NOV. 12 REUNION: The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps Alumni and Friends Club at the University of Oklahoma will hold its second annual reunion Friday, Nov. 12, on OU's Norman campus.

SPORTS NEWS

OU ATHLETICS HELPS OU LIBRARIES: A partnership between OU's athletics and libraries has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars toward an endowment that will buy books and journals and help pay for databases.

OU PROGRAM PROFILED: ESPN profiles Sooner coaches and players, including graduate assistant Josh Heupel and true freshman Adrian Peterson.

GALA SWINGING FOR SUCCESS: A new Spanish member of OU women's golf is making a name for herself.

LINKS OF INTEREST

GET A HEAD START ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING: The OU Alumni Store features great Sooner-themed gifts that include Fossil watches, children's clothing, OU Christmas stockings and "Sooner Santa" hats. Stocking are available with or without monogramming. Proceeds support the Alumni Association, scholarship programs and the University.

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY: The University of Oklahoma's School of Library and Information Studies recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary.

Sooner Cinema for November

Sooner Cinema is doing something a little different this month -- we are showing three movies that have been heavily requested by our patrons. We will not be showing any Sunday films in December.

Sunday, November 7
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'
6 p.m. Only
Tickets are $5
Rated R

The Monty Python group examines the meaning and purpose of life in a series of sketches from conception to death and beyond. In typical Monty Python fashion they satirize and humourize almost everyone. There are even musical numbers, but with that same unmistakable brand of Python humor. Expect the un-expected!

November Events at The Sooner Theatre Call 321-9600 for information

Same Time Next Year - November 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 Tickets are $12 and $15. Senior and student discount on Nov. 7.
Sooner Cinema - Flash Gordon (1980) November 14
The Lovin' Spoonful - November 19, 8 p.m. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40
Sooner Cinema - Super Size Me, November 21

Channel 20 programming for November

Click here for the November programming.