Wisconsin Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week
April 11-15, 2011
(MADISON) Are you and your family ready for storms? Tornadoes and Severe Weather are guaranteed in every Wisconsin spring and summer. Preparing now could save your life and the lives of loved ones.
April 11-15, 2011 is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The campaign is to remind people of the dangers associated with tornadoes, thunderstorms, flooding and hail and to encourage citizens to take protective safety measures. A statewide drill is planned for Thursday, April 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The drill will be an ideal opportunity for schools, businesses and individuals to practice safe procedures for severe weather and to learn more about severe weather including:
-Wisconsin averages 21 tornadoes annually.
-In 2010, 46 tornadoes in Wisconsin were confirmed by the National Weather Services, the second greatest yearly number on record. Fortunately, no one was killed but 22 were injured and the tornadoes caused nearly $30 million in property damage.
-The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is April to August, but tornadoes can occur any time of year, like the January 7, 2008 storms near Kenosha.
-Tornadoes can occur anytime, day or night, but are most frequent between 4pm and 9pm.
Wisconsin Emergency Management, ReadyWisconsin and the National Weather Service have planned a series of special efforts to promote storm safety including:
-PSA Campaign: A TV public service campaign with tornado survivors urging everyone to have an emergency weather radio.
-Survival Stories: Other real Wisconsin survivors share their tornado stories on the ReadyWisconsin website.
-Ready Radio Days. ReadyWisconsin teams up with the National Weather Service and TV stations across the state to promote the use of emergency weather radios.
-ReadyWisconsin Trivia Challenge: Answer a question for a chance to win an Emergency Weather Radio. Go to http://readywisconsin.wi.gov to enter.
Watches & Warnings:
TORNADO WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes
in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado is imminent (based on weather radar
information) or has been sighted by spotters. If a tornado warning is issued for
your area - move to your pre-designated place of safety. SEEK SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY!
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the
development of severe thunderstorms with damaging straight-line (downburst)
winds and/or large hail.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms with damaging
straight-line winds and/or large hail are imminent or are occurring.
Where to Go In Severe Weather:
• In a house with a basement: Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under
some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table, work bench or stairs), or cover
yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag.
• In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stair well or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against flying or falling debris.
• In an office building: Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass. Then, crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter. Stay off elevators- you could become trapped in them if the power is lost.
• In a mobile home: Get out! Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile
homes. If your community has a tornado shelter, go there fast. If there is a
sturdy permanent building within close distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise,
lie flat on low ground away from your home, protecting your head. If possible, use
open ground away from trees and cars, which can be blown onto you.
• At school: Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as
you are told. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your
arms. Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums.
• In a car or truck: Get out of the vehicle immediately and seek shelter in a
permanent building. Do not try to out run a tornado. If there is no shelter, lie flat
and face down, protecting the back of your head with your arms.
Emergency Weather Radios Save Lives:
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage families, schools and businesses to have an Emergency Weather Radio. These radios are like “smoke alarms” for danger. The radio picks up emergency information 24-hours a day with critical information directly from the National Weather Service and other agencies and can be programmed to monitor specific counties in your area. You can purchase Emergency Weather Radios at most electronic retailers. For more information on Emergency Weather Radios go to http://readywisconsin.wi.gov
Also Before the Storm:
• Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school and outdoors.
• Have frequent drills.
• Know the county/township in which you live, and keep a highway map nearby
to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
• Listen to local radio and television stations for further information.
A Disaster Supplies Kit Should Include:
• A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't
spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person.
• Blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first-aid kit, including prescription medicines.
• Emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a
portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
Other Resources for Tornado and Severe Weather:
ReadyWisconsin
National Weather Service — Links to local NWS offices
For more information, please contact your County Emergency Management
Director or your local National Weather Service Office.
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