Weather Safety

According to the Nashville Weather Service flooding is the number one cause for weather related deaths.  To increase awareness of this danger the NWS started the "Turn Around, Don't Drown" campaign to raise awareness of water hazards.

 

Follow these safety rules from the Natioal Weather Service:

-If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Stay away fromflood-prone areas, including dips, low spots, valleys, ditches, washes, etc.

 

-Avoid flooded areas or those with rapid water flow. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet.

 

-Don’t allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Hidden dangers could lie beneath the water.

 

-Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. NEVER drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Water only two feet deep can float away most automobiles.

 

-Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly when threatening conditions exist.

 

-Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

 

-Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for vital weather related information.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/tadd/

Lightning is the 3^rd greatest storm killer.  Last year 28 people were killed by lightning, and hundreds more severely injured.  During Severe Weather Awareness Week the National Weather Service would like to remind everyone "When thunder roars, go indoors".  If you are not able to take shelter in a building then take shelter in a vehicle.  Do not take shelter under a tree; this will only increase your risks.

Here are some examples of safe and unsafe shelters from the National Weather Service.

A safe shelter from lightning is either a substantial building or an enclosed metal vehicle. A safe building is one that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor, and has plumbing or wiring. Examples include a home, school, church, hotel, office building or shopping center. A Once inside, stay away from showers, sinks, bath tubs, and electronic equipment such as stoves, radios, corded telephones and computers.

Unsafe buildings include car ports, open garages, covered patios, picnic shelters, beach pavilions, golf shelters, tents of any kinds, baseball dugouts, sheds and greenhouses.

A safe vehicle is any fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle such as a hard-topped car, minivan, bus, truck, etc. While inside a safe vehicle, do not use electronic devices such as radio communications during a thunderstorm. If you drive into a thunderstorm, slow down and use extra caution. If possible, pull off the road into a safe area. Do not leave the vehicle during a thunderstorm.

Unsafe vehicles include golf carts, convertibles, motorcycles, or any open cab vehicle.

For more information on lightning safety you can visit the NWS Lightning page

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

 

 

We are not in Kansas Anymore

 

 

The most common time of the year for tornados in Tennessee is in the months of March, April, and May.  Tornados can happen any time of the year, even the winter months.  November and December is the secondary season for tornados, and we have seen tornados in other winter months as well.  It is important to be prepared for tornados all year long.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK has a website dedicated to tornado facts, and safety information.  To learn more go to http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/index.html

While the spring brings warmer weather to us, it also brings thunderstorms, about 10 of them severe.  A thunderstorm is considered severe when it is accompanied with hail measuring 1 inch in diameter or larger, winds above 8 MPH, and/or tornados.  While thunderstorms are more common in March, April, and May we do have a secondary thunderstorm season in November and December.

During thunderstorm season you will hear terms like watch and warning.  A severe thunderstorm or tornado watch means conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to become severe or tornados to develop.  A warning means a severe thunderstorm or tornado has been detected by radar or trained NWS Storm Spotter.

The National Weather Service offers this tips to help keep you safe when weather turns severe.

-Have a plan. Prepare ahead of time so you and your family know what actions to take when severe weather occurs.

- Get indoors! There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm.

-Stay informed! When severe weather threatens, stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or the National Weather Service webpage at www.weather.gov for up to date information on the weather situation.

- Know what county you are in. When a warning is issued, the threatened area will be identified by the counties that contain it.

- Have a NOAA Weather Radio. This is the best way to receive the latest and most up to date weather information from the National Weather Service.

National Weather Service utilizes several different resources to inform the public of severe weather warnings.  One of the more popular ways is the NOAA Weather Radio.  Tennessee is served by 21 NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio transmitters that are accessible to 95% of the state’s population.  In order to receive these signals you need to have a special radio cable of receiving VHF public service band signals.

 

Routine programing transmits the latest forecasts, hazardous weather outlook, current weather conditions, and official climate data.  During a specific weather watch, warning, or specific weather statement the regular broadcast will be interrupted with important information.  With SAME technology, some weather radios are now programmable so you receive the alerts for your county.  Not all radios have this capability, and will notate SAME technology on the packaging. 

 

It is recommended to change your batteries in your weather radio the same time you change your batteries in your smoke detector and that is during the time change in the spring and fall.  A weather radio during severe weather is useless if your batteries are dead.  Do not think because you can plug your radio in you have nothing to worry about, during a power failure is when you will need the information the most.

 

For more information regarding NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, and programming information, click on the Nashville Weather Service link below.

 

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/?n=weatherradio