If you had your TV tuned to the national news this past weekend, then you know that we are already at a near record number of tornadoes for the season and that the death count attributed to tornadoes has made 2008 the deadliest year in ten years and the seventh deadliest since modern record-keeping began in 1950.
Since tornado season is just getting started, we thought we would share some information about tornadoes and how to protect yourself and your family if a tornado should strike.
The most important thing to know is that tornadoes can occur without warning. That's why it's important to be alert to changing weather conditions, and use both broadcast information and your own senses and experience to know when to take cover.
Tornado Watch
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. In this case, you should be alert to changes in the weather and take precautions to protect you and your property.
During a Tornado Watch:
- Move cars inside a garage or carport. Keep your car keys and house keys with you.
- Move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside if time permits.
- Account for family members at home.
- Have your emergency kit ready.
- Keep your radio or TV tuned into the weather reports.
Tornado Warning
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted. Tornadoes can be deadly and devastating storms, with winds up to 260 miles per hour. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately!
There is little time for closing windows or hunting for flashlights. It's a good idea to know where things are, and to have an emergency storm kit already prepared.
Tornado Preparedness:
- Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover.
- Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures as tornado season approaches. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.
- Put together an emergency storm kit including a transistor radio, flashlight, batteries and simple first-aid items in a waterproof container.
- Make a complete inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.
- Conduct drills with your family in the home; make sure each member knows the correct procedures if they are at work or school when a tornado hits.
During the Tornado
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground, preferably under something sturdy like a workbench.
If there is no basement or cellar in your home, a small room in the middle of house -- like a bathroom or a closet -- is best. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.
If you are driving during a tornado
- Tornadoes can toss cars and large trucks around like toys. Never try to outrun a tornado.
If you see a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued on the radio or by siren, get out of your vehicle and seek a safe structure or lie down in a low area with your hands covering the back of your head and neck; keep alert for flash floods.
Mail Call
From: A
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 11:15 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Fuel prices
Hello, I am a Canadian and am trying to figure out why my fellow truckers are not doing something en masse for a change; of course, I'm referring to everyone in Canada and the U.S. just shutting it down for about a week. I realize this is a hard suggestion for driver owners. However if the petroleum companies have their way they will shut the industry down anyway.
This what they are trying to do, if the industry can shut the transportation system down because of high prices they will have ultimate control which is what they want. The trucking industry in both countries need to beat the petroleum industry to the punch. If the fuel and crude isn't being delivered the petrol companies lose big time.
Think about it truckers, what do you have to lose, so far you have almost lost it anyway. I know if I could get support and other truckers would stand with me and I owned a truck, no matter what the companies said I would be shutting down. Just as long as there were no brownnosers out there to ruin it for everyone else.
Fellow truckers you owe it to yourself and each other to shut down and show the petrol companies who the real boss is, you.
* * * * *
From: LD
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 8:53 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Re: May 1, 2008 eReport
I'm a Canadian and it's not only the fuel prices, it's the border issues, it's the Canadian government that wants to put our rigs at 105 kilometers for all Ontario.
I think it's about time we all get together and take back the trucking industry once and for all. If we all stood our ground and showed these governments how important trucks are, they would finally listen to us. Years ago we use to stand together. Where has our industry gone? As one truck driver to another, lets take a stand.
*****
From: KV
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 8:01 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: O/O fuel prices
If the oil companies can keep the fuel prices rising why can't the owners of the trucks? When you arriver at the final destination give the companies an 8% fuel surcharge on top of the freight charge. No one is going to help with the prices. When you get to the destination, give them a C.O.D. surcharge of 8%. If they refuse to pay, then they don't get their products. Take the product to a cold storage unit until the fuel surcharge is paid.
When they pay for that surcharge, charge them again for redelivery as well as the charges accumulated for storage. Even the big companies can't keep going paying high fuel prices without some kind of surcharge. Super markets all over are raising prices because of fuel.
Why not us to them?
My opinion of what should be done about the rising cost of fuel prices.
*****
From: jb
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 10:40 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: TRAMPS LIKE US WERE BORN TO RUN.>>>>>>>>>>>
I have only been out here about 12 years, but that's long enough to detect a distinct change in the overall mood of this industry. I ask myself, are we a group of people the general population takes for granted? Are we so dedicated to getting it done no matter what, that we may working ourselves into a big dark hole? Where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Are you sure it's not a train? Maybe soon they will be able to move things from here to there without trucks. Maybe that's the reason they ignore us the way they do.
Am I right?
*****
From: SM
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:38 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: your e-mails
Hey folks!
I sure like to hear from you on a regular basis! I'm trucking fuel in the Canadian Arctic (Resolute Bay, Nunavut) and it's nice to keep in touch with the reality of the south.
I especially like your casual approach, which just says it the way it is. I'll keep in touch with the job opportunities for my return south next fall. For those who think they've got it cold this winter, try unloading at -62c. Thought it might help you feel better about your winter...Keep up the great work!
Stalking Moon
75th parallel
TruckDriver.com
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Well, are you still Googling yourself? It's not for everyone, at least that's what we found out with the TruckDriver.com Google Me Survey.
Only 31 percent of you reported you had Googled yourself and only 8 percent said they had just tied it when we mentioned it. Over half, 53%, reported they had never Googled themselves, and as always, there's the 10 percent who never get the word and reported they didn't even know about Google.
All we can say is, Google on! And take the TruckDriver.com Video Upload Survey.
Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
We do like to hear from you and invite you to let us know how we can improve the e-Report. Please send your ideas and suggestions to: jobs@truckdriver.com
