Now is the time to be ready for severe weather
Lincoln Weather Service testing Tornado Warning system Tuesday March 3rd at 10:00 am

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[February 28, 2015]  LINCOLN - Springtime usually means the onset of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is right around the corner in Illinois.

However, severe weather events the past few years have illustrated that severe storms can occur at any time, in any month. "Although the typical peak time for severe storms is April through June in Illinois, events of the past three years have proven otherwise." said Chris Miller, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois. "Since January 2012, nearly half of all tornadoes in Illinois have occurred during the fall and winter months. This underscores just how important it is to be "Weather Ready" all year in Illinois" said Miller.

To help the citizens of Illinois be more aware of the dangers of severe storms, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), has declared the week of March 1 – 7, 2015 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in the state of Illinois. In addition, the annual statewide “Tornado Drill” will be held Tuesday, March 3rd at 10:00 am CST. At that time, Illinois NWS offices will send an actual Tornado Warning, as a test message, to local media outlets through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and to those with weather alert radios. People are encouraged to use this time to practice their tornado safety plans at home, schools, and businesses. Many local communities will also test their outdoor warning sirens at 10:00 am Tuesday during this “Tornado Drill”.

The best way to be prepared for severe weather is to have multiple methods of receiving weather alerts, rather than just relying on outdoor warning sirens. “Weather alert radios will wake you up and give you potentially life-saving warnings. They are like having your own personal storm siren.” said Miller. Other methods include the Wireless Emergency Alert system, which sends tornado and flash flood warnings with a loud tone alert to most smart phones. Wireless device apps, social media sites and local media outlets are also very good ways to receive emergency information.

The state of Illinois averages 47 tornadoes and hundreds of reports of large hail and wind damage each year. We cannot stop severe storms from occurring, but there is something that everyone can do to prepare for these inevitable forces of nature:

Know the terms related to tornadoes and severe storms.

  • A TORNADO is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm all the way to the ground. Some tornadoes cause minor damage to buildings and trees, while others can result in complete destruction of everything in their path. If the rotation is NOT in contact with the ground, it is referred to as a FUNNEL CLOUD.

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  • A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM can produce hail one inch in diameter or larger, and/or wind gusts around 60 mph or higher that can result in damage to trees, structures, or power lines. Severe thunderstorm winds can be stronger, and produce more damage, than nearly 70% of the tornadoes that affect Illinois.
     

  • A WATCH means that tornadoes or severe thunderstorms are possible, and you need to watch the weather closely over several hours.
     
  • A WARNING means that a tornado or severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar, or has been reported by a trained storm spotter. Seek safe shelter immediately if your location is in the path of the storm. Warnings typically last for 30 to 60 minutes.

Know what to do:

  • Stay alert for the latest hazardous weather information, especially at night or if traveling. In Illinois, 30 percent of all tornadoes occur at night.
     
  • Identify safe indoor shelters. A basement is best. If you don’t have a basement, go to the lowest possible floor in a closet or hallway, away from windows and exterior doors. If traveling, get to a nearby building quickly. If none is available, as a last resort, lie flat in a ditch and protect your head.
     
  • Storm warnings are issued for portions of counties. Know the name of the county you live in, and the counties you travel through.
     
  • If it is safe to do so, contact family members and friends when you become aware of a severe thunderstorm or tornado that may threaten them.

For more information about being adequately prepared for severe weather, visit the NWS Lincoln “Severe Weather Safety” web page at:
www.weather.gov/Lincoln/?n=svr-prep

[Chris Miller, National Weather Service, Lincoln]

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