Weather events and how they impact our work

I know it can be stressful not knowing whether we’ll be operating as usual or if there might be changes due to the weather. I want to put your minds at ease by sharing how I make decisions about whether we should shut down during these events.

Here’s the lowdown on what I do starting at 5 a.m.:

Road closures: I keep an eye out for any road closures in our area. If there are significant closures due to safety concerns, it’s a big factor in considering a shutdown.

Local news: I stay tuned to the local news channels to get the scoop on current weather conditions, forecasts, and any emergency alerts that might affect us. This helps me stay in the know about what’s happening.

Weather radar: I rely on real-time weather radar updates to track the movement and intensity of storms or bad weather. It gives me a good sense of what’s coming our way and helps me make a smart decision.

School districts: I check in with the school districts to see if they’ve decided to close. Now, I know that just because the schools close doesn’t always mean we’ll follow suit. We cover a huge area, and sometimes the schools have to close because they serve such a big chunk of it. But it’s still an important piece of the puzzle.

Different areas, different impacts: We’ve got employees living in all sorts of places across our big area. Some of you might be in low-lying areas that flood easily, while others might be in safer spots. I keep this in mind when making decisions, understanding that we’re not all facing the same conditions.

Starting a bit later: In some cases, instead of closing altogether, we might decide on a delayed start in the morning. This gives the weather a chance to improve or gives you extra time to sort things out before coming to work.

And just so you’re prepared, I’ll make an official announcement about our decision between 6:00 am and 6:30 am. That way, you’ll have enough time to adjust your plans accordingly.

I want to assure you that your safety and well-being are my top priorities. While we can’t predict every little weather event, I want you to know that I consider a bunch of factors and gather as much info as possible before making a call.

I appreciate your understanding, patience, and flexibility in these situations. We want to keep things running smoothly, but we also want to make sure you’re safe