SURVIVING THE STORM: A Severe Weather Safety Guide for West Texans

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1 SURVIVING THE STORM: A Severe Weather Safety Guide for West Texans National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Midland, Texas

2 Fundamental Definitions WATCH Conditions are favorable for severe weather Valid for roughly 6 hours Typically cover large areas (many counties) Continue with routine but remain aware

3 Fundamental Definitions WARNING Hazardous weather reported by spotters or indicated on radar Valid usually 1 hour or less Valid for portions of counties near storm s path Those in and near warning need to take action now! Haltom City, 2007

4 Fundamental Definitions SEVERE THUNDERSTORM A storm producing hail 1 inch (quarter size) or larger, and/or wind 58 mph or stronger Not related to lightning, heavy rainfall, scary clouds! Photo: Jenny Brown Childress, TX (May 30, 2012)

5 Fundamental Definitions Photo: Jennifer Dunn, SW Nebraska FUNNEL CLOUD A rotating, funnel-shaped lowering extending from a storm base Rotating winds not in contact with ground Tornado may form or funnel may dissipate.

6 Fundamental Definitions TORNADO A violently-rotating column of air, attached to thunderstorm base, in contact with ground Visible funnel need not touch the ground! Look for whirling dust cloud along the ground. Photo: Mike Umscheid, Kansas

7 Fundamental Definitions FLASH FLOOD A rapid rise of water, usually during/after heavy rain Dam break, levee failure, debris jam can also produce flash flooding. Photo: Associated Press Midland, TX (September 2012)

8 Being Ready HAVE A PLAN! Understand the threats, know what to do Designate safe areas in advance Practice the plan regularly Be able to receive weather information Enact your plan QUICKLY if severe weather threatens Develop contingency/continuity plans

9 West Texas Storm Facts Most severe weather occurs from March through mid June Most severe weather occurs during the late afternoon and evening BUT severe weather can occur any time!

10 Severe Weather Threats Tornadoes Flash flooding Straight-line winds Hail Lightning

11 Flash Flooding The #1 killer among thunderstorm-related events Nearly 140+ deaths annually Most deaths occur in vehicles Many deaths occur at night

12 Flash Flood Dangers 1 foot of water exerts 500 lbs lateral force 1 foot of water exerts 1500 lbs buoyancy 2-3 feet of water can float most vehicles 6-12 inches can knock a person off balance

13 The Power of Water The following video was taken near Freeport, Maine in August The original video was approximately 6 minutes long - but has been cut down to about 2 minutes. The event you are about to witness took less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

15 Flash Flood Safety Turn Around, Don t Drown tm Stay clear of flooded areas! Stay away from creeks or ditches If camping or hiking, know where the high ground is Be especially cautious at night (road or bridge could be washed out)

most vulnerable Photo: Barb McGilvray Temperature is

16 Lightning The #2 killer among thunderstorm-related events (~ 80/yr) Boaters, golfers, people in open are most vulnerable Photo: Barb McGilvray Temperature is about 50,000 degrees F Electric current about 30,000 amperes

17 Lightning Safety Move inside at the first thunder Inside a strong, grounded building (out of open area) Turn off electrical appliances Stay in shelter until 30 minutes after last thunder Alpine, TX April 2010

18 Large Hail The most destructive weather element Annually causes $1 billion in damage Can reach the size of softballs Fall speeds up to 100 mph (potentially fatal)

19 Thunderstorm Winds Much more common than tornadoes Especially dangerous to mobile homes and vehicles (high profile) Winds can exceed 100 mph Damage swath can cover several hundred miles

21 Severe Thunderstorm Safety Don t minimize the threat Move inside a strong building Stay away from windows Mobile homes and vehicles offer poor protection from wind

22 Downtown Fort Worth 3/28/2000

23 Tornadoes Texas typically leads the nation in number Winds can exceed 200 mph Can last for over an hour Path length up to 50 miles Strong/violent tornadoes are rare, but cause most damage Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornadoes based on damage

on the lowest floor Closets and bathrooms are good

24 Tornado Safety in Buildings Someplace underground is best If no underground shelter, get to a small, interior room on the lowest floor Closets and bathrooms are good Consider a Safe Room for your home Protect yourself from flying debris

25 Tornado Safety in Vehicles Abandon vehicles for a substantial building Cars can be easily tossed about by a tornado s winds As a last resort, take cover in a culvert or ditch, but this is not as safe as a solid building FORGET THE OVERPASSES!

overpass In the best cases, they offer only limited

26 Highway Overpasses NOT a safe place to take shelter! Winds and debris can be funneled underneath the overpass In the best cases, they offer only limited shelter Exposed, above-ground location Traffic congestion problems

27 Tornado Safety in Mobile Homes Manufactured homes are an excellent, low-cost quality way of life They are unsafe in a tornado/high wind event Even if anchored, abandon them for a substantial reinforced building The same rules apply for portable classrooms, construction trailers, etc!

28 Good Shelter? Interior hallway Few windows No external doors Stay clear of far end Overall - good

29 Good Shelter? Wide-span roof Difficult to hold up under strong winds Windows Walls may not be reinforced Overall - not good

30 Good Shelter? Interior office No windows Fairly heavy furniture Overall - good (IF office is all interior)

traffic problems Quarterly drills are good Drill

31 Practicing the Plan Ensures everyone is familiar with their roles Ensures against sheltering and traffic problems Quarterly drills are good Drill ASAP after changes to plans or major staff turnover

32 Getting the Word NOAA Weather Radio Commercial TV Commercial radio Cable TV Internet Sirens

33 NOAA Weather Radio 24-hour continuous broadcast from NWS Alarm tone - SAME technology Automated system - faster broadcast of warnings Battery backup for power outages

34 NOAA Weather Radio Rolando and Naomi Chapa Rice, Texas October 25, 2010.

35 NWS Midland Website

36 NWS Midland Forecast Page

37 Facebook & Twitter Search US National Weather Service Midland

38 Roles and Responsibilities Who monitors weather info? Who activates the plan? Who fans the word out across the facility? How long does it take for everyone to reach shelter? Are backups (personnel and technology) in place? After the storm...

39 Personal Contingency Do you have a disaster supplies kit? Do you have a relative outside the area each family member can contact? Do you have important papers/documents in a remote location?

Do you have backups of your critical files and docs?

40 Business Continuity Can your business function from a remote location? What documents/materials would you need to do so? Do you have backups of your critical files and docs? What staff would be assigned to the remote location and to recovery?

41 Summary Severe weather does not discriminate. Have a plan and practice it. Make sure family members and coworkers know what to do. Have multiple ways of getting the word. Incorporate personal contingency and business continuity into your planning. When the threat materializes, act quickly!

42 Questions? Contact us! National Weather Service 2500 Challenger Dr Midland, TX Web site:

IN VEHICLES: Do not try to outrun a tornado. Abandon your vehicle and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head.

IN VEHICLES: Do not try to outrun a tornado. Abandon your vehicle and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head. TORNADO SAFETY TORNADO! The very word strikes fear in many people. While a tornado is perhaps nature's most destructive storm, deaths and injuries can be prevented. By following Tornado Safety Rules, lives