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CA NEWS
Bits of info from Ginny’s Desk
Submitted by Ginny Wagner, Community Standards Supervisor
June brings barbeque and neighborhood get-togethers on our Note: Approximate equivalency, actual Lumen output could
patios. As we light up our after-dark festivities, we need to differ from table. Consult manufacturer specs. Halogen lights
bring “lumens” to “watts” in order to comply with the Design vary widely and reference should be made solely by manufac-
Guidelines. The following chart gives an approximate Watt- turer’s specifications.
age to Lumen conversion to help calculate the total of 1,300
Lumens allowed in the front or back of your home. I HAVEN’T RECEIVED MY PERMIT YET!
As many of you already know, your Community Association
Incandescent Fluorescent Blub Approximate staff (with the approval of the Modifications Committee) dis-
Bulb Wattage Wattage Lumens tributes review for modification application results via email
7 550 in PDF attachments. If you use a web email provider, it is
40 10 800 important to check your spam folder for your permit. Emails
60 13 1100 are generated on Thursday afternoons following Committee
75 18 1600 meetings and are sent to the email on file for delivering Com-
100 23 2300 municator notifications.
150
Ginny Wagner can be reached at 512-948-7462 or email
[email protected]
Planning for severe weather
Submitted by Ken Tupacz, Vice Chair, Emergency Management Committee
The time for severe weather in Central Texas attempt to anticipate the direction
is upon us. Sun City Texas residents should of a tornado to avoid it while driv-
be thinking about and planning for thunder- ing a vehicle. Generally, tornadoes
storms, tornadoes, flooding and high straight- travel in a path from southwest to
line winds. northeast. The Jarrell supercell and
tornado moved instead from north-
Lightning from thunderstorms is not only damaging to prop- east to southwest, and that is very
erty but can be a lethal killer if you’re in the wrong place at unusual. All residents should plan to
the wrong time. During thunderstorms, the best place to be is shelter in place at home and consider
in a structure with a roof, away from windows, plumbing and purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio, which will provide some
electrical fixtures. Do not take showers or baths during these advance notice of a tornado warning in the area. Take some
storms, and it’s a good idea to turn your TVs and computers time in advance to select a room in the center of your home ―
off. If you’re outside, get into a building as quickly as possible; ideally a bathroom that is somewhat reinforced with plumbing
that also applies to anyone on a golf course. Your golf cart is infrastructure ― as a safe room. Stay away from windows and
not a good place to be during such storms. exterior doors. Be sure to wear sturdy clothing and footwear.
It’s also a good idea to protect your head with a helmet, such
If your home is struck by lightning, call 911 and report it to as motorcycle or bicycle helmet, if one is available.
the Georgetown Fire Department. Do not attempt to inspect
your home for damage after a lightning strike. Let a firefighter Planning for severe weather phenomena should include:
inspect it.
• Preparation of a grab and go bag containing three days of
Flooding and high winds are also characteristic of thunder- food, water, medications and other necessary provisions for
storms. Should water rise significantly in rivers, washes and each member of the household, including your pets.
creeks near your residence, prepare to move to higher ground
and seek shelter with a neighbor, friend or relative and stay • Keep important documents in a document bag for quick
out of harm’s way. Should flood waters enter your home, stay retrieval.
clear of all electrical appliances and outlets. During periods
of high winds, secure items outside the home by tying them • Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full.
down or bringing them inside, and remain in your home away
from windows and doors. • Keep a supply of cash on hand in the event credit and debit
cards can’t be used because of power failure.
Sun City is near the southern boundary of “Tornado Alley.”
Weather experts will tell us the likelihood of a large tornado • If you cannot place calls to family and friends on your cell
hitting this area is minimal, but it can happen. The town of phone, attempt to send them text messages.
Jarrell is not far from us, and most of us are aware of the F5
tornado that devastated that area in 1997. A couple of lessons Disaster preparation is a personal responsibility. It behooves
can be learned from that tornado. Most importantly, don’t all residents to spend some time identifying individual needs
and make the effort to insure those needs are met and be
prepared in case of a disaster.
10 | SUNRAYS JUNE 2015 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
