National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Be a Force of Nature this year with National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 3-9, 2013.

Presidential Message for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week 2013

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnered to designate March 3-9, 2013, as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and is calling upon all Americans to Be a Force of Nature.

We are committed to Being a Force of Nature and pledges to do so by: knowing the risks, taking action, and being an example for our families and community by sharing alerts and the steps to take.

Because we live in an area prone to  tornadoes, flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and severe snowstorms, the recent severe weather reminded us that this weather can strike anywhere and at any time.

Just last year, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Each time severe weather threatens we hear stories of ordinary Americans who do the extraordinary to save loved ones – a mother protecting her children by shielding them from flying debris, a homeowner opening up his storm shelter to neighbors, neighbors helping a senior in a wheelchair get to a safe shelter, individuals ensuring friends are aware of the current watch or warning in their area.

Tornadoes struck approximately 46 states, caused over $1.6 billion in damage and nearly 70 fatalities. There were more than 935 tornadoes in 2012, with 206 in April alone. While April and May are peak months, tornadoes happen all year round.

Building a Weather-Ready Nation requires that every individual and community take action because severe weather knows no boundaries and affects us all. Be a Force of Nature by making a public pledge to be prepared at ready.gov/severe-weather.

What can you do to Prepare?

Severe weather preparedness in your state

Many states have their own severe weather preparedness weeks. Check the Weather Awareness Events Calendar to find yours.

Daily News Stories
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
National Severe Weather Preparedness Week	Know your Risk	Make a Plan	Build a Kit	Stay tuned for weather alerts	Be an Example	Just the Beginning

Severe Winter Weather in Europe and Beyond

Nuns having fun: Sisters take pictures
in the Vatican's St Peter's Square

Vatican - Rome, Italy 
Blanketed by Snow  

The top picture appeared in the Mirror story entitled Snow Pictures: Winter weather moves in on UK as Europe shivers. Click the link for more pictures.

The lower picture was taken last Spring when we toured the Vatican during our Mediterranean & Greek Isles Cruise.

Impacting Transportation 

Motorists have been urged to take extra care in treacherous conditions as snow across much of the UK turns to ice.

The Met Office has issued nine warnings for ice after disruption to road, rail and air travel following up to 16cm (6in) of snow in some areas.

Half of the 1,300 scheduled flights at Heathrow were cancelled and some trains and Tube services also disrupted. Almost 400 transatlantic passengers are stranded overnight in Ireland after six London-bound flights were diverted.

Ice is likely to be a hazard on roads and pavements across parts of southeast Wales and much of England, except the southwest potentially leading to the risk of disruption to travel on Monday morning. Fog patches are also likely to form overnight in many areas, adding to the risk of disruption to travel in parts of the UK.

BBC News - In pictures: Europe snowstorms 

BBC News - Europe snow: Your pictures
The Telegraph Readers' snow photos

As Europe is hit with one of its worst winter storms in decades, much of the United States is experiencing unseasonably warm weather and no snow. Colorado and Nebraska was hit by a major winter storm over the weekend, snarling transportation in that part of the country.

If you are flying internationally, be sure to check with your airline to see if your flights have been impacted by this weather system that has been impacting Europe for several days now.

Leaves Changing Colors, Pumpkins, and Snow

October Snow Storm Blankets East Coast (More Pics)

 Cruise Passengers

Arrive Back to SNOW

Passengers arriving from MSC Poesia's 7-Night Canada & New England cruise were greeted by a historic October snowstorm.

The Nor'easter dumped record amounts of snow from New Jersey through New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. More than 2 million homes and businesses were without power as a result of the storm and at least three people died from storm-related causes.

With one month remaining in the 2011 Hurricane Season, one might expect cruises to be impacted by tropical storms.  Mother Nature had something else in mind for this last weekend of October.   Flights were cancelled or delayed for hours at all major airports on the East Coast.  That meant that anyone traveling home from a cruise that docked in the East Coast or planning on leaving from one, probably had a weather related event to deal with.

New Jersey Flights Cancelled


Travel agents attending the 2011 NACTA Convention on MSC Poesia were among those impacted by the flight cancellations.  Our friend, Joan, was among them as she attempted to get home from the convention.  Realizing that it wasn't going to happen on Saturday, she booked a local hotel and headed there to make the best of things.

Today she headed to LGA airport again only to find another delay.   This time the delay was due to unavailability of crew.  Finally a second pilot showed up and everyone cheered.  Passengers were able to board shortly after that.  
 
Stories like these happen all the time. Passengers on their way home from cruises, that ended in the East Coast Saturday, had to find local hotels, if they could get them, and make alternative flights home. That meant unexpected out of pocket expenses for food, hotel, transportation, etc.   For those on the way to cruises, the expense, logistics, and impact on vacation plans perhaps was much greater.   In both those situations, you don't have to be alone.  With the purchase of Travel Insurance, such as Travel Guard Companion that we offer our clients, there is a professional staff at your disposal to help make the emergency travel arrangements.