While we were heading to Florence, AL yesterday, I was updating our Twitter and checking Radar and STP readings when I noticed a Tweet from a student that went a long the lines of "They say lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, so Tornadoes don't either right?". Wrong. I do NOT say this to insult her intelligence, so please do not mistake my intentions here. Nowhere in the science of meteorology does it say, "Tornadoes will not strike in the same location twice". For example, a family in Harvest, AL (North of Huntsville) lost their home... again... yesterday, not even a year after the devastating EF-5 that claimed their first home on April 27, 2011. Another interesting Tweet that definitely perturbed me the night before yesterday was one from @UA_Lately to the tune of "EF-5's are gonna hit Tuscaloosa!!! FYI 4/27 was a EF-4..". I appreciate her candor for keeping students/her followers informed BUT you have GOT to be careful as to how you word things. Most everyone knows the EMA tests tornado sirens at noon the first Wednesday of every month, and I cannot tell you how many times I get on our Twitter/Facebook and see comments from everyone about how they are physically struck with fear by the sirens, even though it's a test. SO... it's ok to pass on weather information to friends, family, and strangers, but please go about it carefully. The last thing we need is for chaos to ensue. Yes, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK boosted their confidence for the potential of tornadoes to form in and around West Alabama... BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. That's weather. That's the fight that we, along with every meteorologist in the field, take on every time severe weather is a possibility. We want you to be informed, but at the same time we don't want to cause chaos OR apathy. It's synonymous with the old parable of the boy who cried wolf... You do it too many times, and people will cease to believe you. Please, do not lose faith in us as we are staring down the barrel of what COULD be one of the more active severe weather seasons in many years for the Southeast. Again, I'm not trying to cause fear, weather is a GOOD thing. Lightning cleans the air and rain renews the soil. This is weather. This is life. This we cannot change. But we can act. We can be prepared. We can minimize the impact severe weather has on our community. I cannot tell you how fortunate West Alabama, specifically Tuscaloosa, was yesterday. We dodged major bullets, while our neighbors to the north were not as fortunate. The blessing behind yesterday's system was that it came during the day when 95% of people are awake and vigilant versus night time storms when most are asleep and not monitoring the weather.
Here are some interesting facts pertaining to how people are beginning to prepare:
-Hueytown's Wal Mart sold out of bicycle helmets yesterday.
-Best Buy in Tuscaloosa sold out of NOAA weather radios yesterday.
-People across the state took to the airwaves monitoring the weather via TV, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
-Our Twitter followers have SKYROCKETED over the past week or two.
The time to prepare is NOW. What are you doing to ensure your safety if severe weather threatens our area?
Ways you can prepare:
1. Follow our Twitter.
2. Like us on Facebook. (If you don't have a Twitter account, our Facebook page is linked to our Twitter and posts our Twitter updates as they're posted on Twitter.)
3. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio (and install batteries in case the power goes out)!!!!! Most important way to get weather information. You can find them at Wal Mart, Best Buy, Rite Aid, Publix, etc. If you buy one, email us and we will program it for you so you only receive updates for our area.
4. Purchase the Weather Radio app for your iPhone or Droid
5. Have a Severe Weather Safety plan in place. Know where to go and what to do when you receive the warning. (Lowest floor, most interior bathroom or closet away from windows and exterior doors)
6. Put together a Severe Weather Safety kit. Flashlights, batteries, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), First-Aid supplies, medical information, prescription medications, emergency contact info, etc. If you have children, let them help you put this kit together. It'll be fun for the whole family, and will also instill the importance of preparation within them. Don't discount the knowledge and understanding of a child.
7. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan and where the kit is located.
Fortunately, the week ahead is showing no signs of severe weather. So we're catching a breather, BUT prepare for what the rest of the season has to hold.The entire month of March 2011 had 75 tornado reports in Alabama, so far in March 2012 we have had over 100... and it's only the 3rd day of the month.
I love the great state of Alabama. You will NEVER find people more resilient, benevolent and down right kind, anywhere on the face this earth. We're going to get through this severe weather season like we have every one before this one. Prepare today for tomorrow.
God Bless.
PAR
No comments:
Post a Comment