![]() GPS and Radar make a HUGE difference - but are only part of the plan. How many of you have sailed in fog and what tips can you offer?įog is a way of life in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. When I lost "sight" and got turned around what followed next was I lost confidence and that put me in a dangerous situation. I didn't have radar or GPS to help me out of the situation. Of the 3 senses, SIGHT is the most important and when you loose that "sense" in fog, you're in trouble. We sail with 3 of our 5 senses: touch, sight and hearing. I followed him back to the marina, unpacked the boat and drove to San Diego!! Fortunately, the fog lifted for a second and I got my bearings. At this point I didn't know which way to turn or even where I was. Unfortunately, I turned the wrong way and I heard the horn again. The next thing I hear is 5 blasts of his horn so I turned away. ![]() Just before the fog closed in I saw a tug boat pushing a barge and coming in my direction. It wasn't foggy when I left the dock for a 1 week vacation cruise to San Diego but it came in fast and I was stuck in it between the breakwater and land. The second occasion was again in Long Beach, Ca. ![]() Shortly thereafter a massive shape looms up - it was a container ship!! If we weren't fore warned, we'd have crashed into the sucker. Turned out it was a seaman chipping paint. In front of us I thought I heard a hammer hitting metal. The skipper decided to drop out of the race but we were not sure where we were. Why a race committee would allow a race in that condition is beyond me but we were out there. However, the local NWS office in the Quad Cities partnered with local emergency managers to develop the recommended siren guidelines that have since been adopted by many local communities.ġ2.I've only sailed in fog on 2 occasions and I didn't like either of them. Does the National Weather Service recommend guidelines for sounding outdoor warning sirens? Check with your city or county officials to learn more.ġ1. Sirens are typically activated by city or county officials, usually a police or fire department or emergency management personnel. Who activates the outdoor warning sirens? The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.ġ0. Will the outdoor warning sirens warn me of every dangerous storm? You can find information about past storms and their frequency in your community through the National Climatic Data Center. On average, the Quad City area experiences 5 storms each year that meet the common siren guidelines. How often can I expect the outdoor warning sirens to sound for severe weather? An increasing number of communities (inlcuding in the Quad Cities area) are incorporating these threats into their outdoor warning siren policies.Ĩ. When thunderstorm winds exceed 70 mph, trees can be uprooted or snapped. Hail that is golf ball sized or larger can break windows. Both of these things pose a direct risk to life if people are caught outdoors. Why are the outdoor warning sirens sometimes sounded for hail and wind? People should be indoors and monitoring local media for updates on the storm.ħ. Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal? Check with your local officials to get the specific day for your community.Ħ. In the Quad Cities area, this is on the first Tuesday of each month. Sirens are tested according to local community or state policies. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.ĥ. How can I get alerts when I’m at work or in my house?įor alerts indoors, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.Ĥ. Why can’t I hear the outdoor warning sirens in my house? When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.ģ. What should I do when I hear the outdoor warning sirens? The specific guidelines (tornado, hail ,wind, etc.) for sounding sirens varies by jurisdiction, so check with your local community to find out the specifics if you are interested.Ģ. In short, it means that something life-threatening is happening and you should go indoors and get more information.
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