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SEVERE WEATHER |
The National Weather Service uses these specific terms to help relay the weather threat to the
public.
Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Watch:
Conditions are favorable for a tornado or severe thunderstorm to develop. Stay informed and
keep an eye on the sky.
Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warning:
A tornado or severe thunderstorm has been sighted or detected by radar. Seek shelter
immediately!
When you hear the tornado-warning siren, TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY! DO NOT GO OUT IN THE STREET!
Listen to KDCR (88.5 FM), KSOU (93.9 FM) or KIHK (106.9 FM) or watch KMEG, KCAU-TV, and KTIV-TV
in Sioux City or KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls for current weather radar reports.
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EL TIEMPO SEVERO |
El Servicio Nacional del Tiempo utiliza estos terminos especificos para ayudar el relevo la
amenaza de tiempo al publico.
Tornado o la Tormenta Severa el reloj:
Las condiciones son favorables para un tornado o la tormenta severa desarrollar. Permanezca
infomrado y mantenga un ojo en el cielo.
Tornado o la Tormenta Severa advirtiendo:
Un tornado o la tormenta severa se han visto o han sido discernidos por el radar. Busque
el refugio inmediatamente!
Cuando usted oye la Sirena de la Advertencia de Tornado, TOMA la CUBIERTA INMEDIATEAMENTE! NO
SALGO EN LA CALLE! Escuche KDCR (88.5 FM), KSOU (93.9 FM) or KIHK (106.9 FM) o KMEG,
KCAU-television, y KTIV-television en la Ciudad de Siux o KSFY-television del reloj en Caidas
de Siux para informes actuales de tiempo-radar.
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Lightning Safety |
In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year.
While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is also extremely dangerous. During the past 30 years,
lightning killed an average of 73 people per year in the United States based on documented cases. This is
more than the average of 68 deaths per year caused by tornadoes and the average of 16 deaths per year
caused by hurricanes. However, because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time, and
because lightning does not cause the mass destruction left in the wake of tornadoes or hurricanes,
lightning generally receives much less attention than the more destructive weather-related killers. While
documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries caused
by lightning are likely much higher.
Lightning Safety Awareness - An Educational Problem
While many people think that they are aware of the dangers of lightning, the vast majority are not.
The lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning continues to be a significant problem
in the United States. Many people don't act to protect their lives, their property, and the lives of
others in a timely manner simply because they don't understand all the dangers associated with
thunderstorms and lightning. The first step in solving this problem is to educate people so that they
become aware of the behavior that puts them at risk of being struck by lightning, and to let them know
what they can do to reduce that risk. For those adults who make decisions that affect the safety of
children, understanding the dangers of lightning is extremely important. Unfortunately, many people's
knowledge of lightning safety is tragically in error.
Lightning Safety Week
The National Weather Service, in cooperation with many other agencies and organizations (including the
American Red Cross), has developed "Lightning Safety Week". During this week, focus on information about
lightning, safety indoors and outdoors, and the medical facts about lightning, is provided on this web
site: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/
Information Available
In addition to excellent information on the web site:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ the American Red Cross continues to make these materials
available that address the lightning safety issue:
Masters of Disaster -- children's disaster safety curriculum. Because lightning kills more people
in the U.S. than other natural hazards, it was specifically included in the Masters of Disaster kits.
These kits are designed for educators to bring science, math, language arts, and social studies lessons
to children in grades K-8. There are three Masters of Disaster kits, one for children in grades K-2
(A1140); one for children in grades 3-5 (A1141); and one for children in grades 6-8 (A1142).
Are You Ready for a Thunderstorm? English version in stock in GSD as ARC 5009 in packages of 25,
available through the regular Red Cross order process. Also available on-line at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/readythunder.html
The Spanish version is on the web only at:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/thundspn.html
Thunderstorms... Tornadoes... Lightning... Nature's Most Violent Storms A 16-page, 4-color
brochure produced by the National Weather Service in cooperation with the American Red Cross and FEMA.
Available for Red Cross chapter to order from GSD as stock number A1122 in pk/10. It is also on NOAA/NWS
web site at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/ttl.pdf. (NOTE: This is a large file, so it may take a long time
to download if you are using a dial-up modem.)
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Tornado Season Arrives |
"As many as 80 tornadoes hit the Midwest on Sunday and early Monday morning, killing at least 34 people and leaving dozens more injured," was the opening sentence in a recent American Red Cross (ARC) Chapter Disaster Information Bulletin.
We are all aware of where we live and that tornadoes can strike anywhere with little notice. The ARC is known for preventing, preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies. With acts of nature, the ARC is as helpless in preventing tornadoes as is everyone else. The ARC, however, can help in the preparation of such potential destruction. Preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that families prepare for tornadoes by:
- Making a Home Tornado Plan: Pick an uncluttered place where family members could seek shelter: a basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor.
- Building a Disaster Supplies Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and other emergency items for the whole family.
- Heeding Storm Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado WARNING is issued, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.
- Preparing for High Winds: Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.
The Red Cross encourages residents of the affected areas to practice cautionary measures in the aftermath of the storms.
- Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked.
- Help a neighbor who may require special assistance-infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report then to the utility company immediately. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and inquiry.
- Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of tornadoes.
- Stay out of damaged buildings. Tornadoes can cause great damage, creating further hazards. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
- Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building. Do not use candles at any time.
- Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, or damage to electrical systems. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Fire is the most frequent hazard following other disasters.
- Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.
"By preparing together for tornado season, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger," Siouxland Area Chapter of the American Red Cross Director of Disaster Services Don Dwyer said. "We can help you and your family create your tornado preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by severe weather."
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of disasters by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or to your local American Red Cross chapter.
Contact: Doc Zortman (Director of Public Relations and Financial Development) 712-252-4081/800-340-4081
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Area Road Conditions
