How to Use This Guide
Follow the decision trees below when facing weather-related decisions. Start at "START" and answer each question to determine the appropriate action.
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TORNADO DECISION TREE
``` START: Is there a Tornado WARNING for your area? │ ├── YES ──► TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY │ │ │ └── Go to: Storm cellar, interior room lowest floor, │ or vehicle if no building available │ └── NO ──► Is there a Tornado WATCH for your area? │ ├── YES ──► Stay alert and prepare │ │ │ └── Know shelter location │ ► Monitor weather closely │ ► Be ready to take shelter │ └── NO ──► Are you seeing signs of possible tornado? (Green sky, rotation, large hail, roaring sound) │ ├── YES ──► Seek shelter immediately │ ► Don't wait for official warning │ └── NO ──► Continue normal precautions ► Monitor weather during storm season ```
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LIGHTNING DECISION TREE
``` START: Can you hear thunder? │ ├── YES ──► You are in danger. Lightning can strike from 10+ miles away. │ │ │ └── Can you reach shelter within 30 seconds? │ (Building or hard-topped vehicle) │ │ │ ├── YES ──► GO TO SHELTER NOW │ │ Wait 30 minutes after last thunder │ │ │ └── NO ──► Are you near any shelter options? │ │ │ ├── YES ──► Move toward shelter │ │ Minimize time in open │ │ │ └── NO ──► Get low, away from tall objects │ ► Crouch with feet together │ ► Stay away from fences, water │ └── NO ──► Do you see storm clouds developing? │ ├── YES ──► Monitor closely │ ► Know shelter locations │ ► Be prepared to take action │ └── NO ──► Continue work with weather awareness ```
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FLASH FLOOD DECISION TREE
``` START: Is water covering the road/crossing? │ ├── YES ──► Is the water moving? │ │ │ ├── YES ──► TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN │ │ Never drive through moving water │ │ Find alternate route or wait │ │ │ └── NO ──► Can you see the road surface clearly? │ │ │ ├── YES ──► Is depth clearly under 6 inches? │ │ │ │ │ ├── YES ──► Proceed with caution │ │ │ Go slow, test brakes after │ │ │ │ │ └── NO ──► Do not proceed │ │ Turn around │ │ │ └── NO ──► TURN AROUND │ Never drive through water of unknown depth │ └── NO ──► Is there a Flash Flood Warning for your area? │ ├── YES ──► Avoid all flood-prone areas │ ► Stay on high ground │ ► Be ready to move to higher ground │ └── NO ──► Is it raining heavily or has it recently? │ ├── YES ──► Stay alert for rising water │ ► Monitor conditions │ ► Have escape route planned │ └── NO ──► Continue with weather awareness ```
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HEAT DECISION TREE
``` START: What is the current Heat Index? │ ├── Below 91°F ──► Normal precautions │ ► Drink water regularly │ ► Take normal breaks │ ├── 91-103°F ──► Enhanced precautions │ ► Increase water intake (8 oz every 15-20 min) │ ► More frequent breaks │ ► Monitor for symptoms │ │ │ └── Are you experiencing any symptoms? │ (Headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness) │ │ │ ├── YES ──► Stop work, seek cool area │ │ ► Hydrate │ │ ► Seek medical attention if no improvement │ │ │ └── NO ──► Continue with enhanced precautions │ ├── 103-115°F ──► Protective measures required │ ► Consider postponing heavy work │ ► Mandatory rest breaks │ ► Continuous hydration │ ► Watch for symptoms closely │ └── Above 115°F ──► EXTREME DANGER ► Postpone non-essential outdoor work ► Emergency conditions only ► Maximum protection if work required ```
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COLD/WIND CHILL DECISION TREE
``` START: What is the Wind Chill? │ ├── Above 20°F ──► Normal cold precautions │ ► Proper layers │ ► Hat and gloves │ ► Monitor comfort │ ├── 0°F to 20°F ──► Significant protection required │ ► Full coverage, no exposed skin │ ► Scheduled warm-up breaks │ ► Monitor for numbness │ │ │ └── Any numbness or discoloration? │ │ │ ├── YES ──► Get to warmth immediately │ │ ► Warm gradually │ │ ► Seek care if skin damage visible │ │ │ └── NO ──► Continue with frequent checks │ ├── -20°F to 0°F ──► Minimize exposure │ ► Short work periods only │ ► Frequent warm-up breaks (15-20 min/hour) │ ► Buddy system required │ └── Below -20°F ──► EXTREME COLD ► Essential work only ► Maximum 1-hour exposure ► Emergency conditions ```
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WILDFIRE EVACUATION DECISION TREE
``` START: Has an evacuation ORDER been issued for your area? │ ├── YES ──► EVACUATE NOW │ ► Follow designated routes │ ► Take go-bag and essentials │ ► Open gates for livestock if can't evacuate them │ ► Leave notification of your destination │ └── NO ──► Is fire visible or is smoke affecting your area? │ ├── YES ──► Do you feel safe? │ │ │ ├── NO ──► EVACUATE │ │ You don't need an order to leave │ │ │ └── YES ──► Prepare for possible evacuation │ ► Pack essentials │ ► Load livestock if practical │ ► Monitor conditions closely │ ► Be ready to leave immediately │ └── NO ──► Is there a fire warning for your county/area? │ ├── YES ──► Review evacuation plan │ ► Prepare go-bag │ ► Identify livestock priorities │ ► Monitor conditions │ └── NO ──► Is it fire season with high-risk conditions? (Drought, high wind, low humidity) │ ├── YES ──► Have plan ready │ ► Be aware of conditions │ └── NO ──► Normal awareness ```
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GENERAL SEVERE WEATHER DECISION FRAMEWORK
``` START: Is there an active WARNING? │ ├── YES ──► TAKE IMMEDIATE PROTECTIVE ACTION │ ► Follow warning-specific guidance │ ► Don't wait for conditions to worsen │ └── NO ──► Is there a WATCH? │ ├── YES ──► PREPARE AND STAY ALERT │ ► Review safety plan │ ► Monitor conditions closely │ ► Be ready to act quickly │ └── NO ──► Are threatening conditions visible/developing? │ ├── YES ──► TAKE PRECAUTIONS │ ► Don't wait for official notification │ ► Trust your observations │ ► Move toward safety │ └── NO ──► NORMAL OPERATIONS ► Maintain weather awareness ► Have plans ready ```
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Key Principles for All Weather Decisions
- When in doubt, err on the side of caution
- You don't need official orders to take protective action
- Conditions can change rapidly
- Your life is worth more than any task
- If you feel unsafe, act on that feeling
