Lee County Red Cross Blood Drive at Walmart in Sanford

WalMart

3/5/10
1:30p-6:00p
3310 NC Hwy 87 South
Sanford, NC 27330


Visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or contact customer service at Walmart to make an appointment call 919-776-9388.

***NWS Raleigh Briefing***Winter Weather Tuesday Night into Wednesday

We just recieved the latest update from the National Weather Service in Raleigh for possible winter weather Tuesday night into Wednesday. It appears that we are on the line once again for the heaviest snowfall with the heavy band extending from US1 to I95. Accumulations will be limited due to warm temperatures today as well as warm ground temperatures. Accumalations are expected to be one to to inches. The heaviest snowfall should occur during the night Tuesday into Wednesday morning. We will continue to follow the storm and send information out as it becomes available.


Shane

Please see the latest weather briefing attached to this email and online highlighting the weather situation.
Weather Briefing: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/downloads/Briefings/

While models continue to increase the amounts of forecast precipitation, temperature trends are rather warm and should limit heavy snow accumulations as meting occurs as snow tries to accumulate Tuesday night. That said there is the potential for periods of heavy snow overnight Tuesday and into early Wednesday morning, Heavy snowfall rates could overwhelm warm air and ground temperature mainly from Raleigh east to I -95. Periods of heavy snow could result in higher snowfall amounts as well as more accumulations on road surfaces.

Please keep up with the latest forecasts at http://wether.gov/raleigh

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA - SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
800 AM EDT MON MAR 01 2010

*******************************************************************

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 06
STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL 930 AM WEDNESDAY MARCH 3, 2010

*******************************************************************

This week has been declared North Carolina's Severe Weather
Awareness week for 2010.
Today's we will define exactly what is a severe thunderstorm?


Severe Thunderstorms
For the first time since 1954 the National Weather Service has
redefined the hail criteria for severe thunderstorms. The new hail
size criteria classifying a storm as severe is hail 1 inch in
diameter hail or equal to the size of a quarter. For the last 55 years
hail three-quarters of an inch in diameter or penny sized was considered
severe. This means severe thunderstorm warnings will no longer be issued
for hail the size of pennies and nickels. This will result in a
reduction in the number of warnings issued this year. On average
only about 40 percent of all hail reported in central North Carolina
is quarter size or larger. The wind criteria for a severe
thunderstorms...58 mph or greater...remains unchanged.

Over the last five years there have been nearly 5000 reports of
large hail and damaging wind statewide resulting in over thirty two
million dollars in damage. Severe thunderstorms are also responsible
for injuries and even deaths in the state resulting from lightning,
high wind and tornadoes. The severe thunderstorm season in central
North Carolina typically starts in March and does not end until late
in the fall.

In 2009 warnings issued by National Weather Service offices provided
An average of 19 minutes for severe wind and hail, with detection
rate of ninety percent. It is worth noting that the National Weather
Service does not issue warnings for lightning and given the deadly
nature of lightning you should always be aware of the lightning
danger anytime a thunderstorm is nearby. A good rule of thumb to
live by is when thunder roars go indoors.

Large Hail
In the last 5 years severe thunderstorms in North Carolina have
produced hail as large as tennis balls and baseballs across the
piedmont and eastern North Carolina. While hail is not usually life
threatening, these large chunks of ice cause serious damage to
roofs, automobiles, and crops. Hail season in central North Carolina
typically runs from mid March through early July, typically peaking
in May.

Hailstones grow in thunderstorms with strong updrafts. These strong
upward moving currents of air keep the ice suspended inside the
thunderstorm...allowing the chunks of ice or hailstones to grow
larger and larger. Once the hail become too heavy for the updrafts
to keep suspended...they fall to earth as hail. Thunderstorm
updrafts which show signs of rotation on radar are very effective at
suspending hail since the internal velocities in rotating updrafts
are higher that those of non rotating updrafts.

Damaging Wind
Severe gusts of wind from a thunderstorm called downbursts or
straight line wind are a serious danger. Nationally over the last 30
years nearly as many people have been killed by straight winds as
from tornadoes. Thunderstorm gusts rush down from the storms
sometimes reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph. Thunderstorm wind of
this magnitude impact large areas creating widespread damage and
injuries. Damaging straight line winds can cause damage equivalent
to that of a tornado.

Lines of well organized thunderstorms...called squall
lines...occasionally move across central North Carolina in the
spring and early summer. These dangerous storm systems can be very
explosive racing across the state at over 50 mph creating widespread
wind damage over entire counties.

Damaging wind events in central North Carolina typically start as
early as mid march and run into august. Damaging thunderstorm wind
events are most notable from may through early August which is much
longer than the typical severe hail season.

Safety
You can protect yourself during thunderstorms by remembering this
phrase...hide from the wind and lightning. Stay away from windows
when storms approach and seek shelter in an interior bathroom or
closet when the wind really starts to blow. Your best line of
defense against severe thunderstorms...is to stay informed. There
are so many great outdoor activities across the state of North
Carolina and severe weather can bring a quick end to a day’s
pleasure. Listen to NOAA weather radio, television or local radio
for the latest forecasts and possible threat of thunderstorms and
severe weather. If warnings are issued...take action and protect
your family and property. Remember being safe is a lot better than
being sorry.

Commercial Ice Cube Machines Recalled by Scotsman Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Scotsman® Commercial Modular Cube Ice Machines (Modular Cubers)

Units: About 43,000

Manufacturer: Scotsman Group LLC, of Vernon Hills, Ill.

Hazard: The solenoid, an electrical component in the product, can fail and result in an electrical arc that can pose a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received four reports of fires and 37 reports of burned or melted components, resulting in replacement of machines and component parts. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled machines are designed to be installed on top of ice storage bins or ice dispensers, and typically are used in commercial establishments. Model numbers begin with C0322, C0330, C0522, C0530, C0630, C0830, C1030, C1448, C1848, C2148, EH130, EH222, EH330, or EH430, and serial numbers of the recalled machines within these model designations begin with 05, 06, 07, 08 or 09. Model and serial numbers are on the back of all machines and, depending on the model, behind the machine’s front panel either in the lower right corner of the machine or on the left side of the sheet metal wall that separates the larger (equipment) compartment from the smaller (ice-making) compartment.

Scotsman® commercial flake and nugget ice machines, commercial undercounter cube ice machines, and residential ice machines are not involved in this recall.

Sold Exclusively at: Commercial food service equipment distributors and dealers nationwide from September 2006 through December 2009 for between $4,000 and $14,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Customers should stop using the recalled ice cube machines immediately and contact the company to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Scotsman at (800) 541-0520 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s Web site at http://www.scotsman-ice.com/

submitted by: Lee County Emergency Services DFM Mike Tatum

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
700 AM EST SUN FEB 28 2010

*******************************************************************
SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 06
*******************************************************************

Governor Bev Perdue in conjunction with the National Weather
Service and Department of Crime Control and Public Safety have
declared this week as severe weather awareness week for 2010. All
week long the national weather service will be issuing informative
messages to help you prepare for severe weather.

Each day will cover a different topic. Monday's topic will be severe
thunderstorms. Tuesday we will cover lightning. Wednesday's topic
will be tornadoes. Thursday we will talk about flooding...and
Friday...the alert process.

On Wednesday...march 3rd at 930 am...the National Weather Service
will issue a statewide tornado drill in the form of a Required
Monthly Test on all NOAA weather radios. The alarm test will also
be carried by local radio broadcasters. This will allow
schools...business...and residents the opportunity to practice their
tornado drills and enact safety plans.

Given the recent active weather pattern this winter and chances for
increased severe weather activity this spring...everyone across
North Carolina should use this week to think about what to do when
threatened by lightning...hail...flooding...and tornadoes.
Thunderstorms bring a variety of threats...and knowing how to
protect you and your family’s life is important.

Use this week to discuss safety with your children and students.
Talk about where to take shelter and practice taking refuge in that
hall closet or bathroom. Setting aside a few moments this week to
talk about severe weather safety with your family may one day save
your life and theirs.

Gov. Perdue Declares Severe Weather Awareness Week February 28-March 6

As North Carolinians eagerly awaits springtime, Gov. Bev Perdue cautioned residents to be on the lookout for severe weather that may include tornadoes and thunderstorms. Perdue declared February 28-March 6 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina and recommends that families have safety plans for home, work or school so they can respond quickly when tornadoes or severe storms threaten.


Perdue said schools and government buildings statewide would hold tornado drills on Wednesday morning, March 3. "We never know when or where a tornado will strike," said Perdue. "You may only have a few minutes warning. That is why it is so critical to have emergency plans in place." Perdue urged all North Carolinians to take time now to discuss and rehearse family emergency plans so that when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning in their area, everyone can act quickly and take shelter calmly. March, May and November are the deadliest months for tornadoes in North Carolina.

Last year, the National Weather Service issued approximately 70 tornado warnings and recorded 33 tornadoes in North Carolina. Four of those tornadoes had winds in excess of 110 mph. Combined, the tornadoes caused at least $3 million in damages. Tornadoes usually form during heavy thunderstorms when warm, moist air collides with cold air. These storms can also produce large hail and strong winds. Damaging straight line winds are equally as dangerous.


When severe weather is likely, people should listen to local radio, television, a weather channel or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio for information. If a tornado watch is issued, the conditions are favorable and a tornado is possible. However, if a warning is issued, a tornado has actually been spotted or appeared on radar. This is the time when people should go to a safe shelter immediately.

The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety recommends the safest place during a tornado is underground in a basement. If there is no basement, people who are at home should go to the lowest floor of the house and to an interior room such as a hallway, pantry or closet. Schoolchildren should go to inner hallways, but stay out of gymnasiums, auditoriums or cafeterias where there is a large roof span. Office workers should take shelter under something sturdy like a desk or a table to protect from flying debris or a collapsed roof. Everyone should stay away from windows.


Mobile home residents are especially vulnerable to damage from high winds and should go to a prearranged shelter when severe weather is predicted.

Every family's emergency plan should include information on what to do if severe weather happens while traveling to work or school. Drivers who see a tornado forming or approaching should leave the car immediately and take shelter in a low lying area. A tornado can easily blow a car off a road and many people have been killed while trying to outrun a tornado. Those who are on foot or a bicycle could encounter falling trees, downed power lines or lightning, and they should go to a safe place immediately. The basement of a sturdy building is best. Lying flat in a ditch or low area may also offer protection, but beware of possible flash flooding and flying debris.

Residents should be equally prepared when other forms of severe weather threaten, such as lightning, floods or hail. Last year, the National Weather Center issued 700 severe thunderstorm warnings, and recorded 625 incidents of severe thunderstorms with winds of 58 mph, some with large hail.

This year, the National Weather Service redefined its definition of a severe thunderstorm for the first time in more than 50 years. The NWS will only issue hail warnings if the storm is expected to produce hail of one inch or larger, roughly the size of a quarter. This is an increase from the previous criteria of .75 inches, or the size of a penny.

Preparation for any type of severe weather also means having a family disaster plan and an emergency supply kit assembled and in a location that is easy to access during an emergency. More information on tornadoes and overall emergency preparedness is available at http://www.readync.org/

Vehicle Fire

On Sunday at approximately 2215 West Sanford Fire Department responded to a fully involved vehicle fire on Cumnock Rd. near the Chatham County line.  Upon arrival of the first unit the grass and woods were on fire as well.  LCSO and LCFMO also responded to investigate.