SEVERE WEATHER

7. SEVERE WEATHER

Precautionary measures need to be taken to protect lives and property during periods of severe weather.

THUNDERSTORMSDespite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous.

ADVANCED WARNING Advanced warning can be obtained in three ways:1. Local Weather Service – via local TV and radio stations, will issue a:

a. Severe Thunderstorm Watch – a thunderstorm is likely to occur.b. Severe Thunderstorm Warning – a thunderstorm has been reported.

2. Internet Doppler Map – obtained at http://www.weather.com/weather/local/85020

3. Environmental Clues – observations made by Pointe People:a. darkened skies and cloudsb. increasing windc. sound of thunderd. flashes of lightninge. rain

LIGHTNING1. Occurs with ALL thunderstorms – injuries and even death may occur.2. Often strikes outside of rain – may occur 10 miles from any rainfall.3. Heats the air around it to 50,000 F (hotter than the sun’s surface) – the

resulting shock-waves cause thunder.4. To estimate your distance (miles) from the lightning, count the seconds

between the flash and the thunder and divide by five.Safety:1. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning – go

to safe shelter immediately!2. Go into a building - do not take shelter in small sheds, under trees or beneath

awnings.3. STAY AWAY FROM WATER!4. Use phones only in an emergency.

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MICROBURSTS: STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS1. Small area of rapidly descending air beneath a thunderstorm.2. Can cause damaging winds in excess of 100 mph – speeds equal to a strong

tornado.3. May or may not be accompanied by rain – usually just strong winds and dust

storms.Safety:1. Move into an interior room/hallway on the first level of a structurally sound

building – get under a sturdy piece of furniture.2. Stay away from windows.

FLASH FLOODING: HEAVY RAINFALL1. The #1 thunderstorm KILLER.2. Most flood deaths occur at night and when people become trapped in cars.3. Poor drainage in urban areas can cause water to rise rapidly – 2 feet of water

can carry a car away.Safety:1. Go to higher ground – climb to safety.2. Stay out of vehicles.

GENERAL PROCEDURES

RIVER RANCH:1. Due to the dangers of lightning strikes and flying debris, the River Ranch will

be closed when thunderstorm conditions are observed. The decision will be made by the River Ranch Manager under the

advisement of the Security Department.2. Once the decision has been made to close the River Ranch, the Security

Officers will close the North and South Pointe pools, the Casita pools and the Fitness Center pool.

3. Notify the Hacienda guests about the storm and to stay away from the spa.4. Umbrellas on the pool decks will be taken down.5. The pools will remain closed for approximately 2 hours after the last lightning

strike is observed.

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HOLE IN THE WALL:1. Shut down the fire-pit.2. Umbrellas on the patio will be taken down.

RICO’S AMERICAN GRILL:1. Sandbags will be placed at the bar door.2. The furniture may need to be secured.3. The patio fire will be shut off.4. Umbrellas on the patios will be taken down.5. Rico’s bar West patio may need to be sandbagged.

BALLROOM:1. Sandbags will be placed in the following areas:

a. Double entry door to kitchen dishwashing areab. Raised threshold between the Breezeway and the Box Storagec. Drain under walkway from Breezeway to North Gardend. North facing doors to Pima Ballroom (in addition to plywood and

plastic)e. North and South facing doors to Kosher Kitchenf. 2nd level veranda – the 2 doors to the Hohokam balconiesg. Door to Hohokam lobby at bottom of stairs from 2nd level verandah. Door to Anasazi lobby from the South Garden next to Zuni,i. Double-door to Palacio storeroom behind the Horizon Rooms

2. A wet/dry vacuum will be placed in Pima on standby. Sandbags may have to be placed against the doors to the Hohokam ballrooms inside the Kosher Kitchen hallway.

3. Excess water needs to be squeegeed/pushed off from areas of build up (esp. 2nd level veranda). Pumps may be used to redirect water flow.

4. In an emergency, if not enough sandbags are available, rags from the Housekeeping Laundry Room, can be used.

HOUSEKEEPING:1. Sandbags will be placed in the following areas:

a. Double doors to laundry roomb. Rear entrances to North and South Cabanas.

2. Caution signs and sandbags/towels will be placed in the rear lobbies of North and South Pointe buildings to prevent water hazards in front of the rear elevators.

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3. Excess water needs to be squeegeed/pushed off from areas of build up (esp. in front of the Ballroom Kitchen loading dock).

4. Umbrellas in the North and South Pointe and Casita pool areas will be taken down.

5. Umbrellas on the Casita balconies will be taken down.6. North Pointe 2nd floor balcony may need to be sandbagged and doors

prevented from opening.

ENGINEERS:1. Ensure that water pumps are ready to be used in the Ballroom Kitchen

loading dock and outside laundry.2. A second water pump may be needed in the area at the bottom of the ramp to

the Kosher Kitchen north entrance.3. An Engineer will be responsible for checking the water level in the North and

South Pointe and the Casita pools.

SECURITY:1. Will assist the above mentioned department when necessary.2. Will insure that the efforts of the above departments have been successfully

coordinated.3. Will assist transporting guests from the outlets back to their buildings when

necessary.4. Hacienda = take down the umbrellas; check the jacuzzi water level; check for

mud-flow from the hillside.

BELLDESK:1. Will transport guests from the outlets back to their buildings when necessary.2. Will assist guests, whose suites have flooded.

TORNADOES1. Form during the early stages of a rapidly developing thunderstorm.2. Tornadoes can strike even mountains or valleys.3. Violent winds and flying debris cause most of the structural damage.4. Do not open windows and doors; IMMEDIATELY go to a safe place.5. Flying debris causes the most deaths and injuries.6. Response procedures:

a. Move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest level and get under a heavy piece of furniture.

b. Stay away from windows.c. Get out of automobiles.

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HURRICANESThe National Hurricane Center (NHC) will issue a Hurricane:

a. Advisory – 7 days before it is expected to influence a land area,b. WATCH – 36 hrs before hurricane conditions are possible in an area,c. WARNING – 24 hrs before a hurricane is expected in a specific area.

When a Hurricane ADVISORY is Issued:1. Communications will post a resort-wide text message informing guests of the

Hurricane Advisory:“The National Hurricane Center has issued an advisory that Hurricane …*name*… is expected to pass through this area on …*date*…”

2. Front Office will maintain a list of guests desiring to remain on property during the Hurricane. As many guests as possible will be given suites on the 1st level and in the middle of the buildings. Guests (if necessary) will be advised that they need to provide their own:

a. pre-prepared / canned food for at least 48 hrs,b. drinking water – at least 3 gallons per person,c. warm clothes and rainwear,d. battery-powered flashlight,e. special items for elderly, infant or disabled members of a group,f. essential medication.

3. No portable cooking devices will be allowed on property.4. The General Manager / Security Director will maintain a list of Pointe People

volunteering for duty during the Hurricane. At least 2 members of the Engineering Department have to remain to ensure normal resort functions are operational.

5. The following items will be stored for Pointe People staying on property for the duration of the hurricane:

a. pre-prepared / canned food for at least 48 hrs,b. drinking water – at least 3 gallons per person,c. battery-powered flash lights and glowsticks,d. battery powered radio,e. extra batteries,f. fully stocked first-aid kit.

When a Hurricane WATCH is Issued:1. All departments will check the grounds and roofs of their areas and remove,

and safely store away, all loose items that can be picked up by the wind.

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e.g. furniture, umbrellas, trash cans, ornaments, etc.2. An Engineer will ensure that the emergency generator is situated, fueled and

in proper working condition to power the radio repeater.a. If the power is down for an extended time, a second emergency

generator will be set up to power the base unit in Communications.3. Security will check roof access doors and the doors to work areas not being

used and make sure that they are secured. When a Hurricane WARNING is Issued:1. Listen to the advice of the local officials: if advised to evacuate, do so

immediately.2. If not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows – bathrooms

without windows are usually the best places.3. All personnel not planning to stay on property for the duration of the hurricane

will be requested to leave.4. All electric equipment, copiers and computers will be turned off.5. All kitchens will turn off all their gas cooking equipment.6. Engineers will turn off the electric circuit breakers to all the buildings.7. Be aware of the calm “eye” of the hurricane: the storm will start up again with

winds in the opposite direction once the eye has passed over.8. Be alert for tornadoes – they can occur during or after a hurricane.9. Be aware of floodwaters.10.Use flashlights for illumination, not candles.

When a Hurricane ALL CLEAR is Issued:1. Ensure that all individuals remain indoors until the NHC issues an official “ALL

CLEAR.”2. If you evacuated, return to your home only when the NHC has said that it is

safe to do so.3. Once the “ALL CLEAR” has been called, the Engineers will restore the

property to normal functions.4. Engineering, Housekeeping and Security will inspect the property for damage

and safety hazards. Each Department is responsible for reporting any damage or safety hazard in their work areas.

5. Use flashlights for illumination, not candles.

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