Friday: National Severe Weather Preparedness Recap

If you missed this week's Severe Weather Preparedness Week, don't worry, I thought that I would give you all a recap of what you learned this week. Because it is super important that you know all of these things when severe weather does hit.

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes can move in any direction! If you see these terms flashing across the screen you know what they mean:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: A "Watch" means that you should be alert for severe weather later in the day or night.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: At this time you should take shelter while the storm passes.

You need one of these three things for a Thunderstorm to be severe:
1. Producing one inch or larger in diameter hail
2. Producing winds equal or exceeding 58 miles per hour
3. Producing a tornado

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather- related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Every state in the United States has experienced tornadoes and severe weather- 46 states reported tornadoes in 2012- so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. Often the real "first responders" to an emergency don’t have flashing lights and sirens. They are moms and dads, store managers, and teachers. What they do before, during, and after an emergency can save lives.

Basically just take precaution when severe weather is in your forecast!  Stay Safe Everyone and Happy Severe Weather Preparedness Week!

Photo and Info From:
noaa.gov