Severe Weather Season is Here - but There are Ways to Protect Yourself

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The heavy storms we’ve experienced in Northwest Arkansas the past week are a timely introduction to Severe Weather Awareness Week, Feb. 25-March 3. The U of A Division of Emergency Management is reminding everyone on campus of the ways to keep yourself safe when the weather turns dangerous.

THUNDERSTORMS

Severe thunderstorms are the most common source of deadly weather in Northwest Arkansas. Thuderstorms can spawn lightning, flash floods, hail, damaging straight-line winds, and tornadoes.

The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe when it has winds of at least 58 miles per hour, hail at least the size of a quarter, or if conditions are likely to produce a tornado.

TORNADOeS

Tornadoes are obviously the most destructive forms of severe weather. The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch whenever a tornado might form. A Tornado Warning goes out when a tornado has been sighted or is indicated on Doppler Weather Radar. Be sure you know the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means be prepared. A warning means get to shelter, ideally on the lowest floor in an interior room.

The U of A RazALERT system also relays Tornado Watch and Warning messages when the threat is near the university.

A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio is an excellent way to keep up with the weather, even when your power goes out. If you are going to be at a large gathering during a storm, such as at a school, stadium or place of worship, make sure that someone is keeping an eye on the weather.

FLASH FLOODING

Tornados get the attention, but in the last 30 years flash flooding has been the deadliest thunderstorm hazard, causing more fatalities than tornadoes and lightning combined. There is an average of 80 to 90 deaths each year due to flash floods across the country.

Roughly half of flash flood deaths occur when people try to drive through flooded areas, especially roads. Moving water two feet deep is enough to carry away most vehicles, even pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. In our area, most of the major flash floods occur at night when it is much harder to see the danger ahead.  When dealing with flooded roads the best tip is, “Turn around, don’t drown!.”

The National Weather Service website has more weather safety information, and you can find more information on emergency preparedness at the U of A at  safety.uark.edu.