NORTHERN INDIANA — March 20-26 is Indiana’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week and Kosciusko County Emergency Management wants to make sure local residents are ready when severe weather strikes.
Earlier this month, March 1-7, the National Weather Service observed National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Statewide tornado drills are taking place throughout the day today, Tuesday, March 22.
While there are a number of ways the weather can turn dangerous, severe weather preparedness typically focuses on strong thunderstorms and tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes can strike in any of the states at any time of year, though they are most prevalent in the spring and summer.
The National Severe Storms Laboratory defines a tornado as, “a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.” Because tornados are wind, they are technically invisible. What people see, instead, is debris swept up in the funnel. To be considered a tornado, a funnel cloud has to make contact with the ground.
One way to prepare for severe weather is to have a severe weather alert radio. NOAA radios signal users when a watch or warning is issued and will give details about incoming severe weather. Kosciusko County Emergency Management gives guidelines on its website for programming a weather radio.
During severe weather, NWS typically issues two major types of alerts — watches and warnings. Many people confuse the two, however one way to remember the difference, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is that a watch means “be prepared,” while a warning means, “take action.”
Under a severe thunderstorm watch, conditions are favorable for a severe storm to develop. However, under a severe thunderstorm warning, a severe storm is on its way and it is time to take action. Tornado watches and warnings are the same — under a tornado watch, a tornado could develop while under a tornado warning, a tornado or funnel cloud has been spotted nearby.
During a watch, it is important to check weather forecasts frequently, monitor sky conditions and know where to take shelter. If a storm shows up on radar or if storm clouds are moving in, it is time to seek shelter in a sturdy building away from windows.
In the event of a tornado warning, the safest place to be is below ground, like in a basement or crawl space. If neither of these is available, a room with no outside walls is the next best thing.
Drivers are advised to seek immediate shelter in the event of a severe thunderstorm. Trying to outrun a tornado could end disastrously. Contrary to prior belief, underpasses are not good places to seek shelter.
Tornadoes are not the only type of wind that can pose a danger. Straight-line winds can be just as powerful, causing extensive damage.
The American Red Cross also lists guidelines and has links to apps for events like tornadoes, floods and other types of severe weather. It also gives guidelines for assembling a severe weather preparedness kit and for developing a severe weather preparedness plan.
Ready.gov is another source for preparedness kit ideas and developing an emergency communication plan.
