March: Wind? Rain? Snow? Tsunami?

Greetings!

We hope you, and all members of your menagerie, are well.

While the calendar says it's nearly spring here, it’s definitely still a mixed bag of weather where we are. March is notoriously fickle, lulling us with lovely warm days, then lashing us with winter storms.

It’s no time to be casual about preparedness! With this in mind, our March NewsNote has something for everyone, and we hope it will help you keep all your critters safe, healthy and ready for whatever March blows your way!

Are You Ready for March Weather?

The old adage “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” not only uses animals as imagery but is a great way to think about safety.

No matter where you live, this “tween” month bridges the seasons, usually bringing weather variability and extremes. Situational Awareness is especially important at this time of year to keep pets, equines, livestock, and US, as safe as possible.

Keeping a close watch on changing conditions and monitoring weather forecasts can prevent animal accidents. Depending on where you live, or plan to travel with your critters, a casual walk with your dog or a scenic trail ride can quickly turn scary.

Here are a few important “Do & Don’t Reminders” – just in case you’re feeling a bit foggy from winter.

Monitor local weather and emergency alerts.
Pay attention to Hazard Warning signs at beaches, lakes and trailheads.
Keep dogs on leash during outdoor adventures.
Look UP, DOWN, and ALL AROUND for signs of unsafe conditions.
Bring an Emergency Kit on outings. DON’T

DO NOT

Ignore “Road Closed” signs.
Leave unattended companion animals tied or chained if severe weather is forecast.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

Lake ice: Know the warning signs of weakening ice.
Flood: Water can be highly contaminated. Just 6” of water can move a vehicle. Water may hide down power lines, wells and septic tanks and other extreme dangers.
Wind & Trees: Look for leaning trees, vulnerable branches weighed down by ice or snow.
Ground instability. Look for movement of soil, bulges, crumbling hillsides, falling rocks, fallen trees.
High surf: Obey all Beach Hazard signs and alerts, never turn your back on the ocean!
Rapid temperature changes: Look for cracks in ice, melting of freezing snow.
Rapid temperature change can cause animal stress and health impacts.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME HAS STARTED!

Whether DST happens where you are, or not, it’s a great time to:

Refresh & rotate emergency supplies.
Change batteries.
Check smoke alarms and install new ones as needed.
Talk to your friends and family about making emergency plans for their animals.

Tsunami Preparedness Weeks Coming Up

California Tsunami Prep Week is coming up! It is a very good time for all equestrians, pet owners, barn managers, trail riders and anyone who lives, works or recreates in or near coastal or tidal areas to increase their Tsunami Awareness!

TsunamiZone.org

KNOW YOUR ZONE

Are YOU in the ZONE?

Find out HERE

#Tsunami/Ready

Tsunami Prep for You & Your Animals

What would you do if you get a Tsunami alert or Warning? Several thousands of Bay Area and Northern California residents got jilted out of their mid-morning activities last November by nonstop Tsunami evacuation alerts.

While most of us had already received multiple earthquake notifications, the tsunami evacuation order was a BIG wakeup call!

As animal owners and caregivers, the thought of being caught in a tsunami was, and is, pretty frightening. Like flash floods, landslides, and debris flows, tsunamis can occur with very short warning and leave few ways to escape. Seconds count; and your survival will depend on quick action. Improving the odds for pets, equines and livestock requires thinking about, and planning, for these types of natural disasters.

How can you plan for an event that happens so fast? By increasing your awareness of the risks around you, practicing quick getaways, and doing things that improve the chances for animal survival and reunification.

Test your Tsunami Safety Awareness!

Do you know if you're in a Tsunami Danger Zone?
Are you signed up to get local Emergency Alerts?
Do you have, and use, an Emergency Weather Radio?
Do you know where to go if you if you get a tsunami alert or evacuation warning?
Do you have a refuge area at home or nearby?
If you're traveling in, or near, a coastal area, do you know how to sign up for alerts?

GET THE ANSWERS HERE

How Long Will I have?

What Can I do?

Knowing how to get local alerts is the single most important lifesaving piece of planning for disasters. Tsunami and earthquake mportabt, prediction and alert technology is advancing all the time. Earthquake app notifications may include Tsunami info.

You may get a local alert or warning that predicts the estimated time waves may impact tour area. Many areas use emergency sirens and broadcast alerts.

Tips for Pet Parents

Make sure pets are microchipped for faster reunification.
Collars with ID should be snug enough to not slip off or get caught.
Unless you know you can reach safety with pets in crates or on leash, they're likely to be safer if loose.
If you feel escape on foot or by car is impossible, try to shelter with pets in the highest, part of a building.
Never leave pets tied, chained or locked inside structure in any kind of severe weather or natural disaster..

What About Equines & Livestock?

If you can quickly and safely lead or haul animals to tsunami-flood refuge area, do it. Be aware that congested roads may become traps. If sheltering animals in place, take off halters, masks and anything else that may snag and cause entrapment. Turn animals out in the largest, least restrictive spaces possible. Be aware that gates and fences may become traps.

Stayin’ Safe in Early Spring

Mother Nature's Momentous

While winter visits from serial Atmospheric Rivers delivered desperately needed water in many areas, they also left us with other mementos that are not so nice.

Many residents are dealing with the misery of displacement, mountains of debris, the impacts of long power outages, and lengthy lists of repairs to their homes and ranches. Most of us can check off at least one of these, or related effects.

As ranchers, my family experienced some frightening and unprecedented flooding, with more than two weeks of sporadic, or no, public utility power. Like every other type of disaster, when we haven’t faced one for a while, it’s always a wake-up call.

We prepare year-round, but there are still things we “coulda/shoulda” done better. Unlike prep for wildfires, our flood muscle memory was a bit out of shape. How’s yours?

Hey, basketball fans — March Madness is upon us!

Keep this checklist on the coffee table, and a copy on your door, to prevent emergency vet trips!

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