MONROE - Green County Emergency Management is reminding residents that Wisconsin's Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 16-20.
For the first time, radio, TV and cable channels will participate in the statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 19, with a mock tornado watch at 1 p.m. and a mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service studied the Joplin, Mo. tornado that occurred May 22, 2011 and it revealed important lessons learned, including:
- A majority of residents did not immediately seek shelter when tornado warnings were issued.
- People needed between two and nine warnings to take action and seek shelter. For example, if they heard the sirens going off they would look in the sky, then go to a TV to get information and then call a friend, etc.
- The time it took between those warnings and seeking shelter cost lives.
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) put together the "Listen, Act and Live" campaign and urges residents to participate. The tornado season is very active again this year and WEM is encouraging people to develop emergency plans for their family, purchase a NOAA weather radio and take shelter immediately when the sky looks threatening or weather warnings are issued. Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. In 2011, Wisconsin had 38 tornadoes, the fourth highest number on record.
The Listen, Act and Live campaign recommendations include:
- Listen: When severe weather is possible (thunderstorm or tornado watch issued), pick a credible source of information (such as the National Weather Service, local radio or TV stations) and keep in touch with that source until the danger has passed. One of the best tools is a NOAA Weather Radio, also known as an Emergency Weather Radio.
- Act: When you hear a tornado warning (tornado seen by spotters or detected on radar), seek the best shelter you can find immediately. Don't waste time checking multiple sources of information. You may have only seconds to find a safe place.
- Live: Your chances of survival multiply. Hopefully the storm will pass with no damage. But don't risk your life on a hope.
More information is available at readywisconsin.wi.gov or contacting Tanna McKeon, coordinator for Green County Emergency Management, at (608) 328-9416.
For the first time, radio, TV and cable channels will participate in the statewide tornado drill on Thursday, April 19, with a mock tornado watch at 1 p.m. and a mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service studied the Joplin, Mo. tornado that occurred May 22, 2011 and it revealed important lessons learned, including:
- A majority of residents did not immediately seek shelter when tornado warnings were issued.
- People needed between two and nine warnings to take action and seek shelter. For example, if they heard the sirens going off they would look in the sky, then go to a TV to get information and then call a friend, etc.
- The time it took between those warnings and seeking shelter cost lives.
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) put together the "Listen, Act and Live" campaign and urges residents to participate. The tornado season is very active again this year and WEM is encouraging people to develop emergency plans for their family, purchase a NOAA weather radio and take shelter immediately when the sky looks threatening or weather warnings are issued. Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. In 2011, Wisconsin had 38 tornadoes, the fourth highest number on record.
The Listen, Act and Live campaign recommendations include:
- Listen: When severe weather is possible (thunderstorm or tornado watch issued), pick a credible source of information (such as the National Weather Service, local radio or TV stations) and keep in touch with that source until the danger has passed. One of the best tools is a NOAA Weather Radio, also known as an Emergency Weather Radio.
- Act: When you hear a tornado warning (tornado seen by spotters or detected on radar), seek the best shelter you can find immediately. Don't waste time checking multiple sources of information. You may have only seconds to find a safe place.
- Live: Your chances of survival multiply. Hopefully the storm will pass with no damage. But don't risk your life on a hope.
More information is available at readywisconsin.wi.gov or contacting Tanna McKeon, coordinator for Green County Emergency Management, at (608) 328-9416.