Wisconsin Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week

Apr 12

2010

Posted by Brian Barnes under Safety 1 Comment

April 19-23, 2010

Gov. Jim Doyle has proclaimed April 19-23, 2010 as 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.

Last year, 16 tornadoes in Wisconsin were confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS), causing thousands of dollars in property and crop damage.

Wisconsin averages 21 tornadoes a year. To encourage citizens to be prepared for severe weather, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are once again promoting Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week. The statewide tornado drill will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Many schools and businesses participate in the annual daytime drill. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, WEM and the NWS have distributed tornado and severe weather information to schools.

Additional maps and information are posted at http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov.

If you need further information, please contact your county emergency management director or Lori Getter at lori.getter@wisconsin.gov or 608-242-3239.

Statewide Tornado Drill – April 22, 2010

Governor Doyle has proclaimed April 19-23, 2010 as Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. On Thursday, April 22, a statewide tornado drill is planned. The National Weather Service will issue mock tornado watches and warnings. If actual severe weather occurs anywhere in the state on April 22, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 23, with the watch/warnings issued at the same time. Below are the scheduled times for the mock watches/warnings.

1:00 pm – Mock TORNADO WATCH for all of Wisconsin

MOCK TORNADO WARNINGS

1:10-1:15 pm – National Weather Service Green Bay issues Mock Tornado Warning for Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood Counties.

1:20-1:25 pm – National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan issues Mock Tornado Warning for Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha Counties.

1:30-1:35 pm – National Weather Service La Crosse issues Mock Tornado Warning for Adams, Buffalo, Clark, Crawford, Grant, Jackson, Juneau, LaCrosse, Monroe, Richland, Taylor, Trempealeau and Vernon Counties.

1:40-1:45 pm – National Weather Service Minneapolis/Chanhassen issues Mock Tornado Warning for Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk and St. Croix Counties.

1:50-1:55 pm – National Weather Service Duluth issues Mock Tornado Warning for Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn Counties.

2:00 pm – END OF MOCK TORNADO WATCH/WARNING DRILL

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 stairwell 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.

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.
Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.
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.