Sentinel Staff Writer
FAIRMONT Although cold temperatures and wind seem to have settled in for the time being, warmer weather is on the way. While that conjures up images of sunny days out on the lake or late evening walks, it also means an increased risk of severe weather.
This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week and, according to Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the week is meant to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It’s also a great time for individuals and families to make and practice their emergency plans and build or refresh an emergency preparedness kit.
It's day three of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Southeastern Wisconsin, and the Weather Watch 12 Team is focusing on lightning and flood safety. Lightning is a common weather phenomenon in the area. It forms as ice and water particles collide within clouds, creating positive and negative charges. Those charges separate in the clouds; positive charges go to the top of the cloud and negative charges to the bottom. Lightning is the atmosphere's.
On a National Level
Floods claim nearly 200 lives annually, force 300,000 persons from their homes, and result in property damage in excess of 2 billion dollars. Characteristically, 75 percent of flash flood deaths occur at night with half of the victims dying in their automobiles or other vehicles.
It may be difficult to believe, but many deaths occur when persons knowingly drive around road barricades indicating the road is washed out ahead.
National Weather Service
Are You Prepared?
Assume a thunderstorm produces 6 inches of rain in less than 6 hours time near your community. Storms of this magnitude or greater occur several times each year in the U.S. Would you know what action to take to protect yourself and the people who depend on you for safety? After a major flood event, one of the most common quotes from the survivors of the flood is the expression they did not believe it could happen to them or in their community.
(KNSI) – It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota, and Wednesday and Thursday are focused on flooding and tornadoes, respectively. What will likely be the most noticeable part of the week is the outdoor sirens that will sound across the state Thursday. Stearns County Emergency Management Director Erin Tufte says those tornado drills will happen at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m.
“We would encourage people to practice what they would do for severe weather in whatever environment they’re in at that time,” Tufte said. “So if you work during the day, what do you do in your work environment? If you’re home in the evenings, what do you do at your home setting? Encourage others around you to participate as well.”
Severe weather: what factors create them and how to warn people about the risk wtmj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wtmj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.