Safety

Deer Tick

TICKS / LYME DISEASE AWARENESS

Booker T. Washington National Monument, like much of the northeast and southeast, has experienced increased tick activity.

You can minimize your chances of exposure by following a few simple steps:
-stay toward the center of trails and away from brush and unmowed grass;
-tuck pant legs inside socks;
-wear light-colored clothing (makes spotting ticks easier);
-use insect repellant.

Be sure to check yourself, and your pets, for ticks. Contact your health care provider if you find any attached to you.

 

Medical Facilities

VelocityCare — Westlake--Carilion Urgent Care

13205 Booker T. Washington Hwy
Hardy, VA 24101

[phone]

Carilion Clinic Westlake Center

35 Medical Court

Hardy, VA 24101

[phone] or 1-[phone]

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

1906 Belleview Ave.

Roanoke, VA 24014

[phone]

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital

390 South Main Street

Rocky Mount VA 24151

[phone]

LewisGale Medical Center

1900 Electric Road

Salem, VA 24153

[phone]

 

SEVER WEATHER & THUNDER/LIGHTING STORMS

Lightning Outside: Do not stay in open spaces or under tall objects (trees, poles). Move to a

building, or inside a vehicle.

Outside - No Shelter Available: If you are in a group, spread out, keeping people several yards

apart. Avoid water. Crouch down, feet close together with your head tucked down.

Tornado Facts

Quick facts you should know about tornadoes:

• They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
• Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
• Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 pm and 9 pm, but can occur at any time.

IN THE EVENT THERE IS A TORNADO, THERE IS A BASEMENT IN THE VISITOR CENTER THAT THE PARK RANGERS WILL GUIDE YOU TO. IF YOU ARE IN THE HISTORIC AREA OR ON THE NATURE TRAIL AND CAN NOT MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE VISITOR CENTER FOR PROTECTION, LIE FLAT IN A NEARBY DITCH OR DEPRESSION. DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO!