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Learn how to “Get In, Get Down, and Cover Up” during Severe Weather Awareness Week
By Gail Hartfield and Jeff Orrock
SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA
MARCH 13-19 2005
The state of North Carolina will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week during march 13th through 19, 2005. Among the activities taking place that week will be the statewide Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 16th around 915 am, which will give emergency officials, the media, and the public a chance to test their preparedness and action plans for a simulated severe weather event. Public schools and businesses are strongly urged to practice their severe weather safety plans during the drill. The National Weather Service forecast office in Raleigh would also issue special Public Information.
Part of the mission of the National Weather Service is the protection of life and property, a responsibility the organization does not take lightly. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the national Weather Service continually monitors Doppler radar, weather observations, satellite imagery, computer models, and other data to determine the threat for severe weather. When severe weather is possible or imminent, the national Weather service issues a variety of products to keep you informed. Severe Weather Outlooks are issued by 4 am on those days when severe weather is possible, alerting everyone to the possibility of severe weather later in the day. Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches are issued for areas to alert the public to a potential threat for severe weather in the very near future. As soon as a severe or tornadic storm appears imminent, the Weather Service will immediately issue a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning and this alert is quickly sent to the public via NOAA Weather Radio, local media outlets and the Internet.
Despite this structured alert system, many people are still injured or killed by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes every year. When a severe storm is bearing down, knowing the right steps to take and being able to do them quickly, greatly reduces the risk of injury and may even save your life or those of your loved ones. It is how individuals plan ahead for disasters and react that ultimately saves lives. That is why the national Weather Service in Raleigh is urging you to “Get In, Get Down, and Cover Up” when a warning is issued.
Modeled after the successful “Stop, Drop, and Roll” campaign for fires, “Get In, Get Down, and Cover Up” describes how you can save your life when severe storms strike.
Get In. Get as far inside a strong building as you can and stay away from windows, which can easily break during strong winds or from flying debris.
Get Down. Get as low as possible by going to the lowest floor of the building. A basement or underground shelter is best, if available. By crouching down, you are minimizing the possibility of being hit by flying debris.
Cover Up. Cover yourself (especially your head) with a pillow, blankets, or even a mattress to further protect you from any flying debris. If possible, get beneath a workbench or table.
Remembering these simple steps can help keep you safe from injury or death if you find yourself in the path of a tornado or severe storm.
BEFORE severe weather threatens:
Learn about severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and what kinds of damage they can produce and the dangers they present.
Have an emergency action plan for both your home and your workplace. Know where you will go if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
Know what county you live and work in and where within the county you are located. Severe weather warnings are issued by county or a section of a county (northern Wake County, for example).
Before heading outdoors for an extended time, check the latest forecasts. If the risk of threatening weather is high, you may with to postpone your plans.
Make sure you always have access to a reliable source of weather information. A battery-powered NOAA weather radio will always provide you with the very latest weather information, including watches and warnings and radios with an alarm feature will automatically alert you of any watches or warnings issued.
When a tornado warning is issued or a tornado is approaching:
In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement, bathroom or closet.
If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
In a large building such as a shopping center, go to the designated shelter area, or to a small-reinforced area within the building such as a restroom. Avoid areas with a large roof expanse, as large roof collapse under the stress of a tornado or downburst winds.
Stay away from windows.
Leave vehicles. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately. Go to a safe shelter if available or get into a ditch and protect your head with your hands.
Be aware of flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. Go to a reinforced shelter immediately.
A thunderstorm is classified as severe if it produces:
Hail ¾” or greater (about the size of a penny)
Winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (about 58 mph)
A tornado
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