Severe weather awareness week begins
Throughout the week, the National Weather Service, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and other groups will conduct educational activities and drills on certain days of the week to help people prevent injuries and deaths from tornadoes, damaging winds, flash floods, lightning and hail.
Weather officials ask people to keep these severe weather incidents in mind:
• Severe thunderstorms – Damaging winds from severe thunderstorms are more frequent than tornadoes in the Midsouth and occur frequently in spring as well as in November and December. Straight-line winds can reach well over 100 mph and all thunderstorms are capable of producing deadly lightning. Those affected should find shelter in a sturdy building immediately.
• Lightning – Results from the building and discharge of electrical energy between positive and negative electrical charges and is always a potential killer. In an average year, lightning will claim more victims than tornadoes or hurricanes. Seek shelter, or when caught in the open, seek shelter in a low area.
• Tornadoes – A state-wide tornado drill will be conducted Wednesday from 9 to 9:30 a.m., with the alternate test date scheduled for Friday should severe weather develop Wednesday. All are encouraged to learn life-saving rules. A tornado watch means tornadoes may develop, so listen to news reports or a weather radio to learn more. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or is indicated on weather radar. People in the path of the tornado should seek shelter immediately.
• Flooding and flash floods – flooding is the No. 1 weather killer in the United States. Flash floods are most prevalent in the eastern half of Tennessee, while river flooding is more common in the western sections. Watches mean conditions are detected than can result in flash flooding, while warnings mean flooding has been reported or is imminent.
Affected persons should: get out of the flooded area; be more cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flooding; not drive through flood areas; seek higher ground if vehicle stalls or get to higher ground.
On Friday, emergency officials hope to make the public aware of the availability of a NOAA weather radio. Additionally, a two-hour severe weather spotters training course will be conducted Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Warren County Administrative Offices on Locust Street.
The course is for all interested in knowing more about weather spotting or becoming a weather spotter. More information can be obtained by calling the McMinnville-Warren County Emergency Management Agency at 473-8446.