Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute

It seems like many of us are always looking for ways to learn more about some of the hazardous weather conditions that affect us each year.

I am happy to share some good news with you. The Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute has taught continuing education classes for the North Carolina Department of Insurance for many years. These classes cover a variety of weather related topics and discuss each particular hazard and their related safety measures. The classes are taught in Greensboro at the facilities of the Rendleman Company, located at 800 Green Valley Road, Suite 101. The facility is at the corner of Green Valley Road and Friendly Avenue.

The class sessions are now open to everyone. Each class session is three-hours in length with a certificate of completion awarded at the conclusion of each instructional period. The classes are interactive, taught in a multi-media format, and have been very popular with the insurance industry over the years. All sessions are taught by Randy Jackson who was the Chief TV meteorologist at WFMY-TV for over 20 years and is a ” Certified Lightning Safety Professional”. Jackson is now the staff meteorologist for WZTK Radio – FM Talk 101.1 covering a large portion of North Carolina.

There are usually two different classes offered each day. There is a morning session from 9am until noon and an afternoon session from 1pm until 4pm. Those interested students can attend one session or stay for the entire day. The cost is $50.00 per session. The Rendleman Company accepts cash or checks, or will invoice your company. Simply call the Rendleman Company at 336-851-6002 to enroll.

The following class sessions are now being offered:

April 29

• Morning – Preparedness While Operating Motor Vehicles
• Afternoon – Hazardous Weather Preparedness for Home and Business

May 17

• Morning- Severe Weather/Tornadoes and Windstorms
• Afternoon- Preparedness While Operating Motor Vehicles

June 8

• Morning- Hurricanes and Tropical Weather
• Afternoon- Extreme Weather Events in North Carolina

June 30

• Afternoon Session Only – Severe Weather/Tornadoes and Windstorms

July 19

• Morning- Hazardous Weather Survival Guide
• Afternoon-Lightning Safety and Awareness

August 18

• Morning-Coastal Storms and Nor’ Easters
• Afternoon- Hurricanes and Tropical Weather

Other class times and subjects will be added at a later date for the remainder of the year.
For more information contact the Rendleman Company at 336-851-6002 or the Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute at 336-254-5132. I hope to see you soon.

Today is another of the many days I have spent in the North Carolina Mountains.  Wow, what a winter.  So far this season, parts of the northern mountains have recorded over 70” of snow.  The road to my sons house has been impassable at times as a result of snow and ice.

As I jot down these thoughts, we are under a blizzard warning.  This is the second blizzard warning issued for the area in as many weeks.

The weather conditions today are really interesting.  At  times, the sun peaks in and out, there is very little snow falling and it is quite light when it does.  The big factor in the whole picture is the wind.  Gusts over 45 miles per hour have been reported and stronger gusts have been measured at higher levels of elevation.  When the wind blows, visibility can quickly drop to near zero as incredible waves of blowing snow cover the landscape and horizon.

The official National Weather Service definition of blizzard warning states the following:

Despite the hype we see on TV all the time, you do not have to experience heavy snow to be in a blizzard.  The photo was captured from one of the remote cameras in the Boone area.

The grainy look is really blowing snow that at times makes the landscape disappears completely, making travel quite hazardous.

The area could see another storm develop early next week. Another blizzards perhaps,  the system could bring another shot of wintry weather to those who anxiously await the arrival of spring.

I have been a part of the weather broadcast and forecast community for the better part of 30 years now.  During that time I have covered hurricanes, watched tornadoes drop from the sky, helped fill sandbags during extreme flood conditions and trudged through what appeared to be mountains of snow.  Too many of those high profile, often tragic events turn into the images we store in our minds.  In one sense I have been fortunate to witness the power that nature can unleash in such a short time.  Some of those sad but real images that remain stored in my mind have helped me help others while operating the Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute.

Mother Nature certainly has a  Jekyll and Hyde personality; mean and ugly on one side while calm and beautiful on the other.  It is the latter that I have focused on lately.  I consider my self quite lucky to be able to visit the scenic mountains of North Carolina at least once a week.  While those gorgeous mountains can offer challenges of their own, they also offer some of the most breathtaking and majestic sights one could image.  How lucky I am to see them regularly; they seem to allow me to slow my rapid pace and enjoy the calming sense they offer.  I want to share two of my favorites with you.

Kidd Brewer Stadium on the campus of Appalachian State University is nestled in the beautiful northern mountains of North Carolina and is home to the Appalachian State Mountaineers.  From high atop the stadium, the panoramic  view of the campus rolling through the hills is incredible.  On a sunny day, with the leaves turning to their fall colors, you feel as though you are staring at a well detailed model village. The scene below is breathtaking to me on a sunny day; but imagine the beauty that covers the landscape when snow is falling.  If you have visited Kidd Brewer Stadium, you know exactly what I mean.  If you have not, it is one of the greatest place to stop and smell the roses. It is a pretty good place to watch a football game too.

Not far from Kidd Brewer Stadium is another of my favorites that offers my mind great sanctuary.  The slopes of Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock. On a day when the sun and blue sky highlight the bright white snow covered slopes, the world just seems like a better place.  I like to stop at the top of the mountain and put my skiing on hold for a few minutes. I can feel my heart slow and my thoughts turn more positive as the sun, clouds, snow and beauty of the distant mountains overtakes me.  So much beauty to enjoy.

I hope you have some favorites places that highlight the beautiful side of nature.  I have seen many in other states and other countries, but sometime we don’t have to wander very far from home to find some of the best.  Feel free to share your thoughts: I would love to hear them.

Sunshine to you,

Randy Jackson

With snow falling already in many of the western states and a comfortable fall chill in the air through much of the east, it is safe to assume that the march toward winter is on.

It will not be long before most of us will switch from the air conditioner to the furnace; comforting us on those cool nights and chilly mornings.  Fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters will also be used frequently to add warmth to the cool temperatures.

Early predictions from a variety of sources indicate that much of the east could be in for a much colder than normal winter.  Now is the perfect time to take a few preparedness actions that  could pay big dividends to you and your family during the coming months.

Did you know that in an average year in the United States over 25,000 chimney fires occur resulting in 30 deaths and well over $125 million in damages?  Before you throw a log on the fire this season it would be a good idea to have your fireplace or wood stove cleaned and inspected by a service professional.  I have my fireplace serviced every other year and I am always amazed at the amount of soot and dirt that is removed.  Chimney fires can be very serious events and can happen with little or no warning. If it has been a while since you last checked your chimney, fireplace or wood stove,  now is the time to get it done.

It is also a good idea to have your furnace checked by a qualified professional. A simple once over can provide peace of mind from a safety perspective. You may even add a few extra dollars to your pocket in energy savings if you system is running more efficiently. It should also go without saying, but check the status of both your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  It is much easier to do some preventative maintenance now, than when the temperature plummets and the need for service is more costly and time consuming.

I would also like you to check the condition of any portable heaters.  Make sure that all cords are in good condition and that the actual unit is in good working order.  Review the safety procedures for your particular device including placement, maintenance and other operational limits.

By taking a few relatively inexpensive and proactive steps now, you can add peace of mind to the warm cozy environment even on the coldest fall or winter day.

Automobile maintenance is another great topic I will get into in the weeks ahead.  If you have any other winter preparedness issues you would like to pass along, feel free to add comments.

Sunshine to you

Randy Jackson

If you live in central North Carolina, you were reminded just recently how quickly weather conditions can change as well as how challenging they can be.

The final Monday of September, a day that started out to be an 8 on a scale of 10, quickly turned to one of the ugliest days we have seen in a while.  The deep blue sky  garnished by puffy white clouds went through a rapid transformation to a dark and threatening scene.

The beautiful fall breezes that blew their way across the region for much of the day strengthened as though mother nature had provided them a shot of adrenaline.  The powerful blow knocked down trees, filled streets with sticks, twigs and anything else that could not resist the powerful force.

The line of strong storms crossed the area at about 30 miles and hour with the sun reemerging almost immediately afterward. It was a comfort to see the glowing sun as the threatening dark clouds departed. The brilliant golden rays of the sinking evening sun revealed pictures that would leave many with surprise.

The storms blasted through the Triad area during the height of the evening rush hour.  The falling trees knocked out power to a large portion of Greensboro’s northwest side, rendering many traffic signals useless. As the sun set, over 20,000 residents would relive the following hours as did their ancestors, with no electric lights, televisions, electric can openers, or other devices that are such a part of our daily existence. Many other communities from Winston-Salem to Raleigh experienced similar conditions.

The image and color of my words should become a canvas for your thoughts regarding your level of preparedness.  What was strange to me, was that not two hours before those storms darkened an otherwise unsuspecting sky, I had taught two classes as part of the North Carolina Department of Insurance Continuing Education Program.  Oddly enough, the classes were “Hazardous Weather Preparedness”, and “Driving in Hazardous Weather Conditions”.  Those who attended the classes must have thought this was all prearranged.

We never know when these events will unfold and how drastic they may become. In the posts to come, I will share specific incidents and thoughts with you how you may be better prepared to deal with twists and turns, challenges  and opportunities given us my mother nature.  I will even share some photos and links with you; I hope you will feel free to share with me as well.

I am always interested in your comments, so don’t hold back. Feel free to pass on your experiences, they may be of great interest and even help to others.

Sunshine to you!

Randy Jackson

I am excited to welcome you to my new blog for the Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute.  This venue will provide a great opportunity to discuss a variety of hazardous weather topics.  We will have the opportunity to dive into some of the daily weather events that take place around the world, examine what is being discussed in terms of preparedness, and just simply chat about a subject that most of us find fascinating.

I will be updating blog posts, providing links and giving you other paths to explore as often as possible.  I hope you will bookmark this site or better yet, subscribe via RSS feed (How do I do that?).  If you have ideas of something you would like addressed, or simply have a question, drop me a line and I will be happy to check it out.

While you are here, click around our newly designed website.  If you have any thoughts feel free to pass them along.

Best regards and sunshine to you,

Randy