National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 2-8, 2014
# 8340
After a disastrous 2011 tornado season across much of the Midwest and Southern States that saw over 1700 documented twisters (causing > 550 US fatalities) – and dire predictions that this was the `new normal’ – tornado activity dropped precipitously in 2012 (n=932) and again 2013 (n=811).
Similarly, predictions for an `above average’ Atlantic Hurricane season last may ( 7 to 11 hurricanes) missed the mark when only two tropical systems reached hurricane strength, and no major hurricanes threatened at all.
My own state of Florida – after being battered badly in the middle of the last decade by hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne in 2004 and Katrina & Wilma in 2005 – has come away relatively unscathed since then, enduring only a handful of minor tropical storms.
While welcome news to those of us who live in harm’s way, this recent lull in activity also tends to dampen the public’s impetus to prepare for weather-related emergencies. As history has shown, last year’s tornado and hurricane stats have very little to do with what we will see this year, or next.
As the chart above illustrates, March is the traditional start of tornado season in the United States, and whether 2014 brings an average year, record highs or record lows, it only takes one twister to ruin your entire day.
This week FEMA and NOAA are working together to promote severe weather awareness and preparedness.
Be a Force of Nature: Take the Next Step
National Severe Weather Preparedness Week
March 2-8, 2014Know your risk. Take action. Be an example.
In 2013, there were seven weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included five severe weather and tornado events, a major flood event, and the western drought/heat wave. Overall, these events killed 109 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted.
During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 2-8, 2014, NOAA and FEMA will highlight the importance of preparing for severe weather before it strikes.
Being prepared for severe weather doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few simple steps, such as having a disaster supplies kit, could help save your life.
During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we ask that you Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example where you live
EF-3 or Greater Tornado Threat – Credit FEMA
The greatest tornado risks are during the spring and summer months in the Midwest and Southeastern states, although twisters can occur just about anywhere, anytime of the year.
No matter where you live, next weekend’s time change (March 9th – `Spring Forward’) is a good reminder to change your smoke detector batteries, and to double check your NOAA weather radio, flashlights, and first aid kit.
You should also review your family’s emergency communication plan - and if you haven’t already done so - decide where you would go in your home or business if severe weather threatens.
Every home and office should have a NOAA weather radio. Once thought of as mainly a source of local weather information, it has now become an `All-Hazards' alert system as well.
In order to receive these broadcasts, you need a special receiver. Many of these radios have a built in `Tone Alert', and will begin playing once they receive a special alert signal from the broadcaster.
To keep track of severe storm forecasts, you can visit NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center online. There you’ll find interactive maps showing current and anticipated severe weather threats all across the nation.
For those on the go who would like an app (android or iPad) that will sound an alert when severe weather threatens your area, the American Red Cross has recently released several.
Sadly, despite scores of major disasters (often weather related) that occur in this country each year, most Americans remain woefully unprepared to deal with emergencies. Agencies like FEMA, READY.GOV and the HHS are constantly trying to get the preparedness message out, so that when (not `if') a disaster does occur, human losses can be minimized.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, large and small, the following sites should be of assistance.
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
Those that take the advice to Have A Plan, Make A Kit, and Be informed will be better equipped to deal with any eventuality. Which is why I promote basic preparedness at every opportunity in this blog.
A few of my (many) blogs on that subject include:
In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back? When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough When Evacuation Is The Better Part Of Valor
