Hail

Hail often accompanies strong thunderstorms here on the Plains. The hailstones can be smaller than a pea or as large as a softball. Hail the size of a hen's egg can crack or break a windshield. Regardless of its size, hail can be very destructive and should be taken seriously. To stay safe and avoid damage, follow these basic rules for driving in hail:
Slow down.
Keep your head and face away from the windows.
Follow the same rules for safe driving in thunderstorms.
Stay alert and watch for signs of high winds or tornadoes.

Fog
Fog brings even more unique challenges to drivers. While it may be a pleasant change from some of the chilly hazards of winter driving, it can still be dangerous and drivers should take precautions when it is encountered.
Slow down; visibility is significantly reduced by fog.
Turn on low-beam headlights whether it is day or night.
Use the right edge of the road or painted markings as a navigational guide.
Turn on windshield wipers and the defroster to remove any moisture from the windshield.
Do not change lanes or pass.
Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles.

Flood
Floods are the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States, causing around 140 deaths each year. Most of the casualties occur in springtime, when heavy and unexpected rainfall is common. By following these steps, you can avoid becoming a statistic.
Do not drive through flooded roadways even if they look shallow enough to cross. Two feet of water can easily carry away most automobiles.
If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go the other way.
Avoid dips and underpasses.
Any time you have driven through water, make sure you check your brakes. Apply the brakes lightly several times to dry them out and make sure they are working properly. For the best traction, tires should have at least 1/8-inch of tread. This reduces the chances of hydroplaning (when tires skid on water rather than grip the road). Also make sure your tires are properly inflated.
If your car is caught in a flash flood, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground.

First Call for Help

The first call for help should be to First Call for Help, a nonprofit organization that is a service of United Way.

What if There's a Language Barrier?

As frightening as any emergency is, the fear can be intensified when the individual does not speak English and no one speaks the patient's language.

Barb Petersen, patient education coordinator at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, said the hospital has compiled a language bank. When a patient is injured or ill and needs an interpreter, the hospital staff can check the language bank and find a local resident who speaks the patient's language.

The language bank includes people who speak Spanish, German, Cambodian, Chinese, Czechoslovakian, Danish, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portugese, Russian/Ukranian, Vietnamese, Greek, Sign Language and Braille.

But what if it's 3 a.m. and an interpreter is needed? It may not be possible to call someone locally at that hour. Or what if the language that's needed isn't on the list?

Getting a Prescription Filled

Not having medications available can range from inconvenient to life-threatening.
What can someone do if the bag with the medicine is still on the bathroom counter at home? Or the medicine was overlooked and left in the previous night's motel room?
How can a lost prescription be refilled when away from home?
Jill Siemers, a pharmacist at RX Express in North Platte, said the best solution is for the pharmacist to call the patient's physician, who can give prescription information to the pharmacist over the telephone.
If the prescription bottle is available, the patient can bring it to the pharmacy. The pharmacist can then call the original pharmacy to transfer the prescription.
However, Siemers said medications usually have a set number of refills available. If dealing directly with the pharmacy, the number of refills left would be changed.
"It's usually easier to just get the physician involved," Siemers said.

Good Planning... Its a matter of life and death

Every winter lives are lost because travelers failed to plan ahead for emergencies, including being stranded in a storm. Good planning can be the difference between life and death.
The best plan of action is to listen to weather reports, check storm patterns on weather channels on television or the Internet and make plans with safety in mind.
Try to reschedule travel when a winter storm approaches. However, when travel is absolutely necessary, there are steps travelers can take to keep themselves as safe as possible.

The American Red Cross recommends travelers keep their car's gas tank full. This helps keep the fuel line from freezing and also provides a good supply of fuel if stranded.
Make sure the car is in good condition and winterized before heading out onto the open road. Have a mechanic check the battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster and oil.

Be sure the car has good winter tires with adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions.

Carry a cell phone and be sure to keep the battery charged.

One of the most important safety plans is for travelers to let several people know their destination, time of departure, and the route they are taking and expected arrival time. If stranded along the way, someone will then know which way to send help.

Travelers should always carry a disaster supply kit in the car. The American Red Cross recommends the following items be included:

A large waterproof container with a lid to store clothing, including extra gloves, hats, socks, rain gear and water-proof boots for everyone in the car.
Carry extra blankets and sleeping bags. These can be wrapped in large garbage bags to keep them clean. Extra newspapers can be tucked in with them, to provide insulation.
A large coffee can with lid to store waterproof matches, a candle, high-calorie and non-perishable food and at least several days' supply of necessary medications. Safely used, a candle lit in a coffee can provide heat and light for several hours. Be sure to keep a window slightly open on the side away from the wind for ventilation.
A whistle to blow when searchers are getting near.
Plastic bags for sanitation.
A box with an ice scraper, a first-aid kit, a road map, a flashlight with extra batteries, a compass, paper towels, toilet tissue, moist towelettes and feminine hygiene supplies.
A box with several bottles of water, cans of broth or soup, canned fruits, nuts and high-energy bars. Buy canned products that have pull-tab lids. These items must be kept where they cannot freeze, so store them in a crate that can be easily carried from the house to the car and returned to the house when back home.
A small shovel, pocketknife and small tools such as pliers, a wrench and screwdrivers.
Jumper cables, emergency flares, a towrope and a brightly colored cloth to tie to the car antenna.
A sack of sand or non-clumping kitty litter for traction under the wheels, and a set of tire chains or traction mats.
Optional: Cards, games, puzzles, paper, pen and pencils, inspirational booklets and other reading material, and a battery-operated radio and extra batteries for weather information.

If at all possible, the above items should be carried inside the vehicle during stormy weather so no one has to get out of the car to retrieve items from the trunk.

Knowing what to do if stranded in a storm is as important as preparing for the emergency.

Most important is to stay with the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is clearly visible within a short distance. Blowing snow can easily create disorientation.

Tie a brightly colored cloth - preferably red - on the radio antenna. If the snow has stopped falling, raise the car hood to signal help is needed.

Run the car engine occasionally to keep warm, about five minutes every half hour, with the heater on. This should be enough to keep the occupants of the car warm and still conserve fuel. Be sure to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and a window open slightly for ventilation.

Do minor exercises - clap hands and move arms and legs - to keep up circulation.
Use the newspapers from the emergency kit for added insulation; layering items will trap more body heat.

Be sure to drink fluids frequently. Do not eat snow without first thawing it. Eating snow lowers the body temperature and increases the risk of hypothermia.

The American Red Cross has additional information and booklets on all phases of disaster preparedness, including plans for people with disabilities and plans for seniors, written by seniors. Visit the American Red Cross Web site.

For more information on weather terms and how to travel safely, go to the National Weather Service Web site.
Remember that good planning can be the difference between life and death.