Severe Weather Awareness Week

Todd Heitkamp knows northwest Iowans will venture out and look to the skies as a severe storm approaches.

The warning coordination meteorologist and his colleagues at the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls, S.D., count on it.

Two-hour storm spotter training courses, like a 7 p.m. session April 23, at the Spencer Fire Station, make the difference between a curious onlooker and the citizen serving a role in the community.

"We're not in that community. We're not seeing what they're seeing," Heitkamp said. "The radar is the most sophisticated radar on the face of the earth, but we still need the human eyes to tell us what's actually taking place. So, if a person wants to be a spotter, they definitely have to attend one of these sessions -- you cannot be a storm spotter without having the proper training. You will get yourself in trouble if you do that."

The training session covers storm development, how tornados form and the reporting procedures.

"We go over various cloud features to help them get an idea of what is actually taking place so they can better prepare themselves, their families as well as their community for whatever impacts their area," Heitkamp said.

Residents who miss the Spencer program have a second chance, with a 7 p.m. training, April 27, at the Spirit Lake Expo Building. The programs are free and preregistration is not necessary.

"The sessions that we offer really aren't just for storm spotters," Heitkamp said. "It's for anyone that's interested in learning more about weather in general and how they can better protect themselves and their family members by looking at the clouds and trying to figure out what's taking place."

After rash of fatal, damaging storms last year, more eastern Iowans want to find out how to spot destructive storms and report them to authorities. A class of 41 potential weather spotters attended a recent training session at the Bellevue Fire Station, according to the Associated Press.

Conditions were comparatively quiet in the Sioux Falls warning and forecast area in 2008. Heitkamp's office serves 24 counties in southeast and east central South Dakota, eight counties in southwest Minnesota, 11 counties in northwest Iowa, and a pair of Nebraska counties near Sioux City.

"It goes in spurts," Heitkamp said. "It depends on the previous year. If we had a very active storm season last year, attendance would be way up -- and there are some areas that had an active severe weather season, but for the most part, most of the tri-state area didn't have much in the way of tornado activity last year."

Clay County may have been one of the exceptions Heitkamp referred to. A June 11 tornado destroyed trees and farm buildings near Royal, Rossie and Spencer. It stayed on the ground for 15 miles and warranted an EF2 designation, meaning the tornado likely had winds of 111 to 135 mph.

Despite the extensive damage, no major injuries were reported. Heitkamp said preparations during Severe Weather Awareness Week can reduce the risk.

"I think the main thing is to make sure everyone has a plan and put the plan to the test," Heitkamp said. "All too often, we take it for granted that people know where they should go, or they just assume that it's not going to happen to them, so they don't need to be prepared. Well, no matter what, it's just a matter of time before someone will be affected by severe weather -- not only tornados, but it could be strong winds or hail or even lightning. We need to have a plan of action no matter where we're at -- whether or not we're at home, work, school, church or at play. We need to make sure that we've thought through all of those situations."

Severe Weather Awareness Week is an annual event to remind Iowans that severe weather is part of living in our state and that understanding the risks and how to respond to them can save lives. The National Weather Service counted 105 tornadoes including a rare and fatal EF5 tornado that struck Parkersburg and other areas in northeast Iowa.

"In the wake of last year's disasters, it is important to remind Iowans on how to best prepare for a weather-related emergency," said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. "This is the perfect time of year for families to learn about hazards in their community, and to review or create an emergency plan."

FLOODING

Floods can occur nationwide and are the deadliest weather-related killer in the United States. It can take place near rivers, in urban areas and can include flash flooding and ice jams.

A flood watch or flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur. A flood warning or flash flood warning means flooding is occurring or imminent.

"Minor" flooding is when minimal or no property damage is expected, but flooding could potentially cause some public threat or inconvenience. A flood is classified as "moderate" when structures and roads are inundated. "Major" flooding often causes significant evacuations. People and property are transfered to higher elevations.

Get to higher ground and stay away from flood-prone areas; do not allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Choose camp sites away from flood-prone areas.

Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Find another route and be especially cautious at night.

THUNDERSTORMS

By definition, a severe thunderstorm must contain hail that is 1 inch in diameter or larger, contain straight-line winds of 58 mph or stronger and may spawn a tornado.

If thunder can be heard, the person hearing it is close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Postpone outdoor activities, and move to a sturdy building or a car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees or in convertible automobiles. Get out of boats and away from water.

Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug unnecessary appliances and use cordless or cellular phones. Do not take a bath or shower. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors of air conditioners as well.

If caught outdoors, with no shelter nearby, find a low spot away from trees fences and poles. Make sure the selected place isn't subject to flooding. Choose shorter trees for shelter if caught in the woods.

If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize contact with the ground: Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them.

TORNADOS

Start making preparations when a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch is issued.

If a tornado warning is issued, move to a pre-designated shelter such as a basement. Move underneath a table, workbench or staircase. Stay away from the corners of the room because debris is usually displaced into those areas.

If an underground shelter is not available, move to the lowest, most interior room available, stay away from windows and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Interior hallways provide better shelter than wide open rooms in office buildings, shopping malls or schools. Crouch on the ground floor against a wall and cover your head with your hands.

Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornados and should be abandoned.

Drivers should never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle - they can move at speeds of over 50 mph and can change directions quickly. Abandon the car and find a sturdy structure. If one is not available, crouch in a roadside ditch and cover your head with your hands. Hiding in a car is not safe because a tornado can toss a car hundreds of feet.

A CHANGE:

The National Weather Service is implementing a change to its warning system for the upcoming storm season. As of April 1, quarter-sized hail will trigger a severe thunderstorm warning. Previously, penny-sized hail would warrant an alert.

"The reason why we changed that was that research has shown us that, damage doesn't start until hail increases to the size of quarters," said Todd Heitkamp of the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D. "When you're dealing with hail the size of pennies, it wasn't much damage at all, so hopefully, the increase in hail size will increase the pertinency of warnings and hopefully decrease the number of warnings that are actually issued."