Back-Up Power for Required Medical Equipment
May 23, 2024
This spring has already proven that central Texas weather is only getting more interesting. We thought the last few years of winter storms were interesting but then Mother Nature said, “Wait…there’s more” and threw a record number of tornados and hail storms at us! And with these storms comes power disruptions…some short, and some longer than we want to deal with.
Many residents in the area may need back-up power supplies for required medical care equipment. Some folks use battery storage units, others may use small back-up generators, both which will work fine as lone as you have a good supply of the required fuel source. And, when using fuel powered generators, they are to be used outdoors, with proper ventilation and distanced from anything flammable.
I also found this City of Austin Utilities program posted on Facebook and thought it may be another option for those in need. It’s called the Medically Vulnerable Registry and it is a way to identify households that have patients that require electrical equipment to sustain their health. I’ve pasted the link below:
While I think this program is very beneficial, with what we’ve seen over the last three years, I would also recommend to be prepared to be self sufficient for an extended period of time. This used to be a recommended minimum of two weeks but, with what we’ve already experienced, I think it would be prudent to double that, especially when it comes to required medical care equipment.
Stay Safe
Turn Around, Don’t Drown!!!!!
March 28, 2024
Sat through Meteorologist Troy Kimmel’s Weather Safety class last night and it was amazing! He reminded the class that central Texas is coming in to severe weather season so I thought it would be a good time to put out some weather safety newsletters…
Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Moving water is incredibly powerful. It only takes 4-6 inches of swiftly moving water to sweep a large vehicle off the road and downstream, taking along those inside. There are a few things you need to remember when a roadway is covered with moving water. One, you don’t know the depth of the water. You may drive right into a four foot deep river. Two, you don’t know the speed of the water. The faster the current, the more powerful the water and the easier it is to push your car off the roadway. Three, you don’t know if the roadway is still intact. The swift moving flood waters may have completely removed the roadway and, again, you’d be driving into a river. Four, you can’t see where the road is underwater. Just because you see where it comes out on the other side of the river, it doesn’t mean it goes directly there. The road may curve below the surface. This exact situation sank a local area fire department’s ladder truck a couple of years ago!
One of the most important rules there is during a roadway flooding event is DON’T DRIVE AROUND CONES OR BARRACADES! Those were put out for your protection. When you drive around one of these traffic safety devices, you are endangering not only yourself, but also the family or friends in the vehicle with you AND the firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers that have to rescue you. A couple of years ago, a sheriff’s deputy lost his life while searching for a missing person who drove into a CLOSED flooded roadway. Neither of those lives had to be lost. Think of a road closed with barricades like a “Bridge Out” situation. You wouldn’t drive past a “Bridge Out” sign because you know you’d could get hurt or killed. And please remember that a 4-wheel drive or an SUV is not a boat! Just because you have “4 x 4” on your dashboard does not mean your vehicle will survive a swift moving water crossing.
For your safety, your families safety and the safety of those of us who have to come fish you out of the river, please don’t drive into a flooded roadway. A little inconvenience is way better than the loss of your life or that of a loved one.
Community Holiday Parade 12/10 2:00p
November 29, 2023
Holiday Parade Posting
We invite our community to join us in celebrating the holidays with our Winter Parade, featuring Santa!
This parade will include all public safety organizations (Fire, EMS, Sheriff’s, Constables, DPS, etc.), community groups (car clubs, civic groups, etc.), neighborhood associations, school groups and anyone else who wants to be part of the celebration. And this year, our parade leads right up to the RCNA’s Winter Holiday in Rattan Creek Park event. So you can stay there after the parade, shop for gifts from local crafts people and vendors, and take a free photo with Santa.
There are two ways for our community to participate – decorate your vehicle and drive with us in the parade, or line the route in your neighborhood and cheer us on! We love to see all those smiling faces as we drive by. Unfortunately, due to the length of the route (3.5 miles) and the number of large roadways we will traverse, pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are not allowed.
And we’d love to see all of the winter holidays represented in the parade, so we encourage you to share whatever traditions your family celebrates.
And, as always, lets please leave politics at home.
The route: the parade will start at Forest North Elementary School parking lot, with the route moving south down Broadmeade to Anderson Mill, Anderson Mill to Amasia, Amasia to Tamayo, Tamayo to Elkhorn Mountain and end at the Rattan Creek Park for the Winter Festival. This route will include a good majority of the community and allow for a lot of prime spectator viewpoints! Rules for driving in the parade can be found below in the comments.
The parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 10th at 2p. Folks planning on participating in the parade are to assemble in the parking lot at Forest North Elementary School at 1:30p. The parade will begin promptly at 2p, rain or shine. It will conclude at Rattan Creek Park about 3pm. Hope to see you all there!
Happy Holidays!
Flood Safety Tips
May 8, 2023
Perhaps the biggest cause of flood-related deaths and injuries is lack of public understanding of the severity and danger involved with floods and flash floods. The following tips can help protect you during flood events.
Fast Facts About Flood Events
- Many people are killed by driving or walking on roads and bridges that are covered by water. Even though the water might look only inches deep, it could be much deeper and with have strong currents. It only takes two feet of water to carry away a car and six inches of swiftly moving water will sweep a person off his feet.
- Flooded creeks and streams are unpredictable. Even though the surface water may be smooth the water is moving very fast.
- High water in streets and intersections will quickly stall motor vehicles. Most trucks, four-wheel drives, and sport utility vehicles also are susceptible to being swept away by high water. Such vehicles often give motorists a false sense of security, believing the vehicles are safe under any conditions.
- If you are approaching a flooded roadway, turn around and take an alternate route, even though vehicles in front of you may have passed through the high water.
- If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
- Never let children play near creeks or storm drains when the water is rising or high. Swimming skills have nothing to do with surviving a flooded creek or stream.
- Debris or garbage in the water may include tires, shopping carts, furniture etc. These items can easily injure or trap a person under water.
- Flooded streams and rivers are not safe for recreational boating. Many canoeists and kayakers have been rescued from dangerous rapids in flood-swollen streams and rivers.
What to do if someone falls in or is trapped in flood water
- Do not go after the victim!
- If possible, throw them victim something to use as a flotation device (spare tire, large ball or foam ice chest).
- Call 911 with correct location information on this water rescue situation.
- Never set up a tent or camper on the bank of a river or stream. It is best to allow some distance between the campsite and water so if a flash flood does occur, you will have more time to move to higher ground.
- If you live in a low-lying area or near a creek, pay close attention to water levels during heavy rain events. Water levels rise rapidly during flash floods, often surprising victims. Heavy rainfall upstream can cause a river or stream to rise quickly, even if it is not raining near you. Be prepared to move quickly to higher round if water levels begin rising. Quickly responding to an evacuation order can save your life.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow recommended evacuation routes. Shortcuts may be blocked.