Your source for news in Hot Springs County

Severe weather can hit anytime

The National Weather Service, FEMA, and emergency management agencies around Wyoming encourage residents, businesses, schools, and radio and television stations to practice your severe weather safety procedures as we near the main severe weather season in Wyoming.

The spring months produce some wide-ranging weather across Wyoming, from tornadoes to snowstorms. “Folks need to do all that they can ahead of time to ensure they have the plans and the tools to keep both themselves and their families safe should severe weather strike”, said Tim Troutman, meteorologist at the Riverton NWS Office. He added, “This includes not only a planned spot of where to go at home, school or work, but also knowing where to get critical weather warning information when seconds count”.

On average, 10 tornadoes occur in Wyoming each year. Historically, two or three of those tornadoes will produce some type of property damage. Tornadoes are not the only severe thunderstorm hazard that Wyoming residents face; lightning, hail, and flash floods can be equally as devastating.

“Now is an optimal time to assess the risk in your area and make preparations to lessen the impacts from natural hazards,” Troutman said. ”For instance, wildfires are as much of a concern in many parts of the state as thunderstorm-related hazards. People need to be aware and have a plan of action.”

In order to ensure statewide emergency communications and alerting capabilities are functioning properly, the NWS will issue a special routine weekly test of the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast system for tornado drill day for central and western Wyoming on Wednesday, April 3rd, at around 1 PM. Broadcasters and public safety alerting points across central and western Wyoming will be participating in the test. Schools, health care and continuing-care facilities, and other large venues are encouraged to use the drill to test internal emergency procedures.

“We have partnered with FEMA to strongly promote the idea of people using the special routine weekly test of the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast system on April 3rd to allow everyone the opportunity to utilize the warning test to practice what to do in case of a real emergency,” said Tim Troutman, meteorologist at the Riverton NWS office. “We would like to see people posting and sharing on social media what they did to prepare. A school tornado drill or your own family practicing going to the basement are two simple ways people can participate.”

Troutman agrees that in order to know your risk, residents should never leave home without knowing the weather forecast. Taking the three simple steps of, knowing your risk, taking preparedness actions, and sharing preparedness activities with others are essential to build a weather-ready nation.

 

Reader Comments(0)