Severe weather must be taken seriously
The downpour of thunderstorms which pounded Warren County on Monday and early Tuesday only serve to emphasize how dangerous – and deadly – severe weather can be.
While we are all pleased to report there were no deaths in Warren County, the news isn’t so upbeat in neighboring Cannon County. Three people died in two separate automobile accidents when they tried to drive through flood waters covering Highway 145.
Considering the countless number of roads overcome by raging flood waters in Warren County, we are fortunate no such accidents occurred here. It also provides a fitting time to remind motorists that driving through high water on roads is never recommended.
While high water on local roads is a concern, there are few weather-related dangers as frightening as tornados. The reported F4 tornado which struck Jackson, Tenn., and Madison County certainly fits that category. The tornado killed 11, injured 77 and caused more than $5 million in damage.
In an effort to educate Tennesseans about the dangers of thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail and other natural phenomenon, there is a week in February which is designated as Severe Weather Week. More than anything, weather experts want people to stay alert, take weather warnings seriously and do whatever possible to protect themselves when severe weather strikes.
Since 1950, Warren County has seen nine confirmed tornadoes and countless severe thunderstorms which have exacted thousands of dollars in damage to the Nursery Capital. The last local fatality due to a tornado occurred in 1974.
Given the dangers presented by severe storms, the local contingent of the Emergency Management Agency has designed and installed a warning device to give local residents advance warning of severe weather.
This early warning siren, audible throughout most parts of McMinnville, is sounded when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Citizens are urged to heed the warning siren which was installed to give people more time to take cover. While not every sound of the emergency siren means a tornado has been sighted, the siren does mean there is potential for damaging – and possibly lethal – weather.
In recent years, advances in Doppler Radar technology have allowed meteorologists to pinpoint, almost to the exact minute, the location of potentially damaging storms including tornados. This information is passed on to local jurisdictions to give more advanced warning to the public. This technology, meteorologists hope in the end, will save lives by giving people time to take safety precautions.
Along with severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings, experts urge citizens to heed flash flood warnings. Those in low-lying areas prone to flooding should take special notice when flash floods are predicted and be prepared to head for higher ground.
With more storms predicted to hit this area throughout the week, the Standard encourages everyone to stay alert and be prepared to take cover when severe weather strikes.