10th Anniversary Giveaway -- Week 3 Prize

10/19/2010 4:55:48 PM #

you guys rock

keith denny |

10/19/2010 4:56:24 PM #

"Do you have a Family Emergency Plan?

YES

Hunter Outten |

10/19/2010 4:56:36 PM #

Yes my family has a very simple emergency plan. In the case of a tornado we will go to the coat closet, as this is the only room without windows in the house. In case of a fire we will meet at the light pole in front of the house.

Brian Swain |

10/19/2010 4:57:45 PM #

As an emergency communications provider and an old fart on Social security, I wish there were a less expensive "local" version of defender. Great program but beyond the reach of those in the same position as myself.

Fred Hambrecht |

10/19/2010 4:58:35 PM #

Since we are living in North Texas, we absolutely have an emergency plan in place!  As the saying goes "If you don't like the weather...wait a moment and it will change"

Joseph Steinman |

10/19/2010 4:58:56 PM #

We do have a plan and encourage everyone to have one..

John Cook |

10/19/2010 5:00:43 PM #

Yes. We have a family emergency plan! It's very simple but will keep us safe in the event of an emergency!! Love the blog!

Ned |

10/19/2010 5:03:44 PM #

Me and my do not have a plan

greg bobo |

10/19/2010 5:09:48 PM #

Yes. Swift WX or should I say Weather Defender is very much part of my emergency plan.

Doug Wehrs |

10/19/2010 5:10:55 PM #

I have worked with the Red Cross at one tornado and one train derailment evacuation. Once you've seen the damage close up and seen how fragile our modern infrastructure can be, you tend to get very vigilant about your family emergency plan and ready kits. One bit of advice, 72 hours is not enough! If you have the money and storage space,set aside resources for 7-14 days and include plans for recharging your electronic equipment. It takes government a lot longer than they think to deal with wide area disasters. Till then you are on your own.

Garry McCallum |

10/19/2010 5:11:35 PM #

Yes we have an emergency plan.  We will hunker down in the back bedroom.  We'll fire up the laptop and watch the weather.

Bill Taylor |

10/19/2010 5:16:53 PM #

yes my family has an emergency plan.we will go to the main hallway of our house and in the event of power loss we have emergency flash lights and stored food and water. we could use an emergency radio for information.  

william ledford |

10/19/2010 5:17:01 PM #

Yes.  I will have my wife and daughter safe and secure in our Jeep and utilize our laptop, digital camera and cell phone to track the storm and/or tornado from a safe distance in order to capture Mother Nature at one of her more demanding times

Christopher Lucas |

10/19/2010 5:18:43 PM #

Yes, hunker down in the bathroom with the scanner on

Malcolm Lewis |

10/19/2010 5:18:54 PM #

Yes sir. I grab my wife, my camera, and we go chasing when it comes to severe weather

Chad |

10/19/2010 5:21:57 PM #

You hit this one out of the park.

Harry |

10/19/2010 5:24:51 PM #

I love this product.  It is great.

Gregg Sweeten |

10/19/2010 5:25:53 PM #

Don't mess with Mother Nature, she will get you everytime

Jim Stovall |

10/19/2010 5:29:36 PM #

Yes, we do have an emergency plan.

Steven Pittman |

10/19/2010 5:30:49 PM #

We do, even for the pets. We have an area in the basement,

Rick Vollbrecht |

10/19/2010 5:38:37 PM #

I don't have one plan because each natural
Disaster, has it's own unique criteria. I also
Wish weather defender was more affordable.
I use weathertap right now. Keep up the good
Work, maybe someday I will subscribe.

William Allen reid |

10/19/2010 5:42:08 PM #

Yes my family does have a Family Emergency Plan.  It is very important to have one, especially now as we do not have a basement.  We all know the plan and where to go.  Fortunately, with a program such as Weather Defender, warning time can increase, enhancing safety and allowing us to act faster.

Mark Spencer |

10/19/2010 5:43:07 PM #

Our family's plan is to meet under the stairs in the middle of the basement in case of bad weather, or in the bath tub with a mattress to cover us all.  I have manned emergency shelters in the past. I am an Amateur radio operator and a ARES/RACES member of Baltimore Co, MD Our local storm shelter is at a senior center located at one of the highest points in my town, we provide communications to the EOC.

Jerry Cimildora |

10/19/2010 5:51:04 PM #

We don't have an official plan. We do go down to basement during tornado warnings that we receive on our weather radio.

Scott Burgholzer |

10/19/2010 5:51:43 PM #

yes-always be alert day or night
be aware whats going on and what severe weather is in area
have a weather alert radio and always repeat always keep it on
little warning is better than no warninweather can change very very fast

donald north |

10/19/2010 5:52:48 PM #

I have a general knowledge of what I would do in an emergency of most types.

Josh Thomas |

10/19/2010 6:05:39 PM #

I do not Have a Family emergency plan if I had one it be to go to my neighbors storm shelter. Austin


Keep on your good work

Austin Lee |

10/19/2010 6:29:31 PM #

Yes, we have an emergency plan, including 'GO' bags.

Wayne |

10/19/2010 7:13:58 PM #

We do not have a family emergency plan. We live in southern Arizona, and the worst we get is severe thunderstorms. I do have multiple apps on my iPhone that allow me to track weather and lightning, and if it gets too close to our outside activities, we head inside. Other than that...not much severe weather for us to worry about.

Mark Fleming |

10/19/2010 7:33:39 PM #

Yes.  It revolves mainly around tornadoes, considering that my city has been hit four times since February 1999.  Dixie Alley is a beast.  Fire is actually the least of our concerns, considering we live in a house with two firefighters.  ;)  Earthquakes and tornadoes are what get our attention.

Cory Cronin |

10/19/2010 7:35:26 PM #

     You bet, we talk about it all the time. phone numbers. where to meet if something happens. Winter storms are a concern here also.

Jeff Stapel |

10/19/2010 7:35:31 PM #

Yes we do, we have an area in our basement designsted for shelter with blankets, flashlights, first aid kits, handheld scanner, etc.

Kris |

10/19/2010 7:47:33 PM #

We have a family plan but the best one was having bottled waters handy when the local water pipes busted open and we were without water for about 5 days (we did not have to rush to the stores which were out of waters within an hour and several days out of stock.

Pete |

10/19/2010 7:49:51 PM #

We have a full emergency plan for weather related or disaster events.

We live near the Army chemical deactivation plant north of Anniston, AL.

I purchased a food sealer and have 2 to 3 weeks of food sealed up, not to mention lots of batteries.
We used some a couple years ago during an Ice storm, no electricity for 3 days!

As for Weather Defender software, it's one of the best radar software available and I have used several sources before... and sticking with Weather Defender.

Randy Wallace |

10/19/2010 7:58:38 PM #

yes we have a couple of boxes with food and bottled water, flashlights batteries, solar powered gadgets

jim cox |

10/19/2010 8:11:29 PM #

I do not have an emergency plan as of yet for my family. I am actually in the process of beginning to make one this up coming winter.  I am started to make a family first aid kit, getting emergency contacts for everyone together, and soon rendezvous points if we need to evacuate.

I will also be putting together an emergency disaster kit as well to use in case we need to leave the area in a hurry. I also completed my First Aid & CPR training as well and in the process of trying to convince other family members its worth going through the training just in case something happens to me.  Its quite an experience putting emergency plans together because in the back of my mind the entire time I keep saying "I hope this will never happen."  At the same time, I am preparing just in case it does.

Grady Joslin |

10/19/2010 8:13:50 PM #

I don't have an emergency plan. Funny, isn't it?
I have always been disturbed by the fact that we as humans are faced with serious weather challenges. Having a gadget to provide a glimpse of what happens in some few minutes ahead is all a welcome relief.

Dayo Adebayo |

10/19/2010 9:16:14 PM #

Not as such. We have pretty much everything we need, but we don't have bottled water on hand. We probably ought to have a more formalized plan though.

Rob Schellinger |

10/19/2010 9:28:45 PM #

Yes, we have emergency plans for severe weather, and even a plan in case of a meltdown at the local nuclear energy facility.

Charles Bloom |

10/19/2010 9:58:17 PM #

I am an amateur Radio operator (ke5wxl) We have a shelter in our backyard here in oklahoma

Clifford Guy |

10/19/2010 10:47:42 PM #

Yes our family has a plan and we regularly talk about the what if's with the kids so it's beat into their heads in the event of the what if's affects are lives.  Thanks for all that you guys do...  I use your program at work all the time and love it!

Chuck Palmer |

10/19/2010 11:28:40 PM #

No huge plan just get to  the basement,when they do that i go have fun!

brian mooney |

10/20/2010 12:01:42 AM #

We got our plan! Thank you guys!

Thomas Helm |

10/20/2010 12:42:26 AM #

yes I do

nick guidici |

10/20/2010 1:21:55 AM #

Happy 10th Anniversary Weather Defender! It is alwasy good to have a backup plan in case of emergencies...

Joe Russell - KD0DGO |

10/20/2010 4:09:36 AM #

Do I have an Family Emergency Plan?
Yes, as a Emergency Coordinator for ARRL, I designed my family emergency plan to meet the needs of level of disaster or threat. I have a go Box for communication, food and bedding. If it is a weather threat like a Tornado or hurricane, we have a shelter if time permits and if not we will occupy the Bathtubs. If it is a fire, I have fire evacuation plans and a set rally point to ensure all members are out on the home. All family members have knowledge of the use of Weather Defender and we keep it and emergency radios going at the first sign of adverse weather. I run weather Defender everyday at my Amateur Station 24/7. Located in South Mississippi it is important to have a early alert program as weather changes quick, fast and without notice. Thanks for such a good program and I will continue to run Weather Defend at home, at our Emergency Management Agency and will mobile in my Em-comm vehicle.  

Albert McDonald , K5CQJ |

10/20/2010 5:15:20 AM #

Yes, we do have an emergency plan.Everyone,should think  about this..

LUIS SOUSA |

10/20/2010 6:15:20 AM #

Happy 10th!!

Ron Austin |

10/20/2010 6:22:21 AM #

I really enjoy using your Weather Defender program.  I use it all the time.
I was skeptical about how well it would work but after using it for a few days, I am a true believer in your product.

Stan West |

10/20/2010 6:23:33 AM #

Yes I do and it includes my neighbors as well since my home is considered the safest when it comes to weather emergencies.

Chad Novak |

10/20/2010 7:39:27 AM #

Ofcourse as well as everybody should, but either way I'm usually heading into the storms and letting the public know.

David Ruffini |

10/20/2010 7:43:49 AM #

Thanks for the great product and service. We do have a Family Emergency Plan and practice it every quarter.

Stephen Shaner |

10/20/2010 8:54:30 AM #

First, Happy 10th

Second, We have two rally locations, one close to the house, and the second farther away.  With just my wife and I, the plan is small yet effective.

Phil Brunson |

10/20/2010 11:35:47 AM #

Yes we do, especially for tornado warnings.  My kids drill tornado sheltering every month from March through September when our 911 Center tests county outdoor warning sirens.

Doug Reed |

10/20/2010 2:58:00 PM #

No family plan here cause im single.  Occasional tornado in the area but mostly its very minor.  Hurricanes here and there but not this year.  Overall quiet weather year i say.  

Naoya Nishimura |

10/20/2010 3:37:28 PM #

Our emergency plan is to call our son and get his advice.

Madison J. Groves |

10/20/2010 4:10:55 PM #

no plan just deal with severe wather as it happens how can u plan for unknown events.
plus the only weather i deal with is 4 to 7 foot of snow in two days if that

tony |

10/20/2010 7:16:09 PM #

were ready  emergency backup generator and plenty of food

Mike Wierzbowski |

10/20/2010 10:25:39 PM #

Yes we have a plan for both fires and severe weather (tornadoes, etc).  Fires we have escape routes and a meeting place.  For tornadoes (when we are not chasing them) we have a closet with food, water, weather radio, and medical supplies (both wife and daughter are diabetics) so we can stay in there for a long time.

James Weatherman |

10/21/2010 3:21:53 AM #

Do you have a Family Emergency Plan?

YES!

John Leo Navarro |

10/21/2010 9:11:39 AM #

yes, we have a basement room set up with suppiles that might be needed in an emergency, the room is the most soild place in the house... good protectioin from severe weather!

Adam Katalak |

10/21/2010 10:39:45 AM #

Yes, we have a plan. Lessons learned from 30 years in EMS and Emerg. Management. We have supplies stocked. We're in hurricane country so a family evac plan is essential. Storm surge is not a threat for us but wind
damage and downed trees on our home is a distinct risk so I won't allow our family to stay in our house even though
we're prepared to. Prior to leaving we board the windows to minimize risk of wind damage.

We could make excellent use of the Emerg. Commo package during evacs to remain in contact in multiple vehicles plus in the neighborhood during recovery and other emergencies.  

Ken Harrell |

10/21/2010 12:02:10 PM #

Yes,we do have a plan, a weather radio, flashlights that do not require batteries, and, a 72 hour emergency food supply!  Everyone should have these!

Robert Johnson |

10/21/2010 12:19:08 PM #

I do have a emergency plan in place, I have spotted severe local storms and given winter snow depth and obersevations for the past 15 yrs. I have retired for a bit. now I am getting back into it. and my emergency plan is updated every year and is rehearsed. Plus happy 10th.

Dan Kristoff |

10/21/2010 2:41:35 PM #

yes i do have an emergancy plan we have the kits all ready check every month. I teach my kids the emergancy prepareness.

David Robinson |

10/21/2010 6:59:25 PM #

I really think that each family should have a family emergency plan, we do not have a plan but its necessary to implement to help protect us in a situation and make it less of a headache.

Michael William |

10/21/2010 10:58:45 PM #

Well Living On The Coast Creates A Lot Of Dangers With Weather. I Live In Maryland Near Ocean City And We Get Category 1 -3 Hurricanes, Nor Easters, Tornado's, Flooding, And Severe Thunder Storms. I Trained With National Weather Service In Storm Spotting And Trained In CERT By Red Cross And Fire Dept. My Family Has Several Disaster Plans Ranging From How Much Food And Water We Need During Storms, How Much Supplies We Need, And In The Event Of An Evacuation Where To Go And Which Way To Travel. Always Have Stuff Like Water, Flashlights, Food, Weather Clothes, Batteries, Maps, And Any Other Necessary Items To Survive And Hold Tight During A Disaster For About 3-4 Days. Remember In The Event Of A Disaster Necessities May Be Unavailable  For A Few Days. Other Things I Use And Have Are Two Way Radios, Weather Radio, My Laptop With Weather Defender, CB Radio, Scanner Radio, Fire Dept And Emergency Service Numbers, And Other Weather Software And Websites To Compliment Weather Defender. Always Make Sure You Have Plenty Of Gas In Case You Have To Evacuate. Most Storms Here We Watch The Weather Using Multiple Programs And Tough Out The Storm. If A Hurricane Is Causing Too Much Flooding Rain Or A Cat 3 And Above We Evacuate Inland Or To The Hospital Where I Work.

David McGaughey |

10/22/2010 8:26:00 AM #

A great gift for 89 year old parents, who live in the country.  Storms often will knock out power and could even make them evacuate.  With this, they would be far better able to decide when and where to evacuate.

Suzanne Chimel |

10/22/2010 9:11:04 AM #

We have a family emergency plan.  Since we live where the Picher tornado struck, we're always on guard.  It's really important that everyone has a plan.  

Erin Corbit |

10/22/2010 9:37:19 PM #

With my family within a 75 mile diameter, it is easy to have other members serve as the 'contact' person.  The chance of the same weather problems hitting all family members is slight.

Steve Henderson |

10/23/2010 10:25:47 AM #

In a perfect world nothing can go wrong but in reality we dont live in a such called "perfect world". Living here in Iowa has really changed how my family and I look at the weather. We originally started out in Washington state where there really was no need to worry about torndaoes, blizzards or even Severe thunderstorms, but by moving out here we have learned about the real dangers. We have made sure to get at least one weather radio and also we try to monitor the weather if we are expected to have bad weather. On any other givin day we make sure just to check on it once daily. Its been about 4 years now since we moved here and I am currently serving on our Fire/Ems as well as a storm chaser. In case of a "true" Emergency we do have a saftey plan as well as a storm shelter, its better to be safe than sorry ALL the time.

Jonah Smith |

10/24/2010 8:01:26 AM #

We don't have a specific written plan in place....yet.  But as a member of EMA, I take all of the info that I gaion from them and am putting a plan together.  I actually use WD to predict EMA call outs!  How cool is that?

Chris Svitak |