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 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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