Extreme weather can happen everywhere. The Gulf Coast states are at a particular risk for billion dollar storms. And, because a hurricane can literally kill thousands and leave even more homeless, NOAA has devised a Weather Information Sheet called NEWIS (NOAA Extreme Weather Information Sheet). Anyone living in a hurricane-prone zone should absolutely download a print this list. The information includes contact information for
- Local Highway Patrol
- Department of Public Health
- County Emergency Management Offices
- Local Radio Stations
- National Weather Radio Frequencies
- The Coast Guard
- and more…
The fact sheets should be placed in an emergency kit or by a telephone. Each sheet, specific to a Gulf state, has a huge list of contact information for emergencies. The sheets are produced to have important phone numbers and internet web sites for emergency information in the state and local area in a one-stop location. NEWIS is produced for 5 states below. Because of the large amount of coastline in Florida, the state is divided into four different information sheets.
Available Extreme Weather Information Sheets
ALABAMA
LOUISIANA
MISSISSIPPI
Northwest FLORIDA
North Central FLORIDA
West Central FLORIDA
Southwest FLORIDA
TEXAS
Each NEWIS sheet is continually updated for accuracy and includes key websites for gathering critical storm information. Great advice would be to print and laminate the information in both a pocket-sized form and full-sized form. Placement locations include at least one sheet in the home, car emergency kit, in a home emergency kit, and in a purse or wallet.
