Day One of Severe Weather Awareness Week - Watches and Warnings
03/09/2009
Monday, Day 1 Good Morning and Welcome to Day One of Severe Weather Awareness Week! Douglas County Emergency Management, Topeka National Weather Service, Kansas Emergency Management Association, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management have joined with Governor Kathleen Sebelius in proclaiming March 9-13, 2009 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Douglas County and Kansas. The number of Kansas tornadoes in 2008 set a new record with 187, surpassing the record of 141 set in 2007. Over the next several days we will take a look at different types of severe weather. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is issued by the Topeka National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 miles per hour or more, or hail one inch in diameter or greater) is likely to develop. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING is issued when a severe thunderstorm is indicated by weather radar or a spotter reports at least 58 mph winds or 1 inch hail. At this point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television, and wait for the "all clear". TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNINGS A TORNADO WATCH is issued by the Topeka National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms, including thunderstorms. This is time to review where the safest places within your business and home are located, and listen to the radio or television for further developments. A TORNADO WARNING is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take Cover Immediately! If a Warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches: - In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. - If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. - Stay away from windows. - Get out of automobiles. - Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately. - Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. - Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible. Remain alert for signs of an approaching tornado. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most deaths and injuries. If all else fails remember the word DUCK: Down to the lowest level Under something sturdy Cover your head Keep in shelter until the storm passes It's Up To YOU! Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them. The preparedness information we are going to discuss this week, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings, could save your life in the event severe weather threatens you. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.
Related Links:
Douglas County Emergency Management Website - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/em_home.aspx
Day 1 Topic - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/docs/pdf/severeweatherawareweek_day1.pdf
Preparedness Tips - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/em_preparedness.aspx?category_id=
Media Contact:
Jillian Rodrigue, Assistant Director
Emergency Management Department
785-838-2459
jrodrigue@douglas-county.com