Monday, April 25, 2011

Lessons Learned from Recent Tornado Outbreaks

Jack Hayes, National Weather Service Director, reflects on the tragic loss of life and offers some lessons learned from the recent tornado outbreak that hit communities across North Carolina a week ago.

(Published in the Raleigh News Observer)
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- As the director of the National Weather Service, I was saddened to see so many people lose their lives during the tornado outbreak last week. As communities across North Carolina and other storm-ravaged parts of the country clean up and heal, there are stories of survival that provide some solace and even inspiration during this difficult time.

There are also valuable lessons that I want to offer to help prevent such devastating losses of life during future storms.  The sprawling storm that confronted us dropped tornadoes from Oklahoma to the Carolinas. We've seen powerful and deadly tornado outbreaks like this before; so, we were able to issue forecasts days before the devastation. Hours before the storms hit we placed communities under a watch, meaning conditions were favorable for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. And when tornadoes began to form, National Weather Service warnings urged residents to seek shelter immediately, providing a life-saving alert 23 minutes, on average, and in some cases upwards of an hour before the tornadoes arrived.

The ability to predict with such confidence did not occur overnight; instead, this is the direct result of a national investment in skilled forecasters, sophisticated atmospheric modeling and advances in technology such Doppler radar. Without this national initiative and a continued investment to sustain the infrastructure, the capabilities we have in forecasting today would be just a concept and not a reality.

Many people were quick to respond to the warnings - they sought shelter and got out of the way of the tornadoes. While a system this powerful means that even advance warnings like these can't prevent all of the casualties, history tells us without the warnings it would have been far worse - an outbreak in April 1974 claimed more than 300 lives.

Reflecting on this recent severe weather outbreak, the first lesson is: Warnings work only if you have a way of receiving them. The ability to predict and warn is only part of what is necessary to save lives. Monitor your local television or radio news to know when your community is under a warning and then take precautions. And have a NOAA Weather Radio that will grab your attention when a warning is issued - this is especially critical when storms strike in the middle of the night. We are constantly working with local emergency officials, the media and America's weather industry to help improve the delivery of National Weather Service warnings to threatened communities.

The second lesson of this outbreak: Take proper precautions when a warning is issued, especially since it can appear to be deceptively non-threatening outside at that moment. Severe weather can strike fast. Seek shelter in the interior section of the lowest floor of a sturdy building - or even better, below ground - in the case of an approaching tornado.

The final lesson: Capturing a tornado on your digital camera or cellphone could be a fatal decision. Filming at dangerously close proximity puts people at risk of being hit directly by a tornado or by the flying debris swirling around the funnel at tremendous speeds. I ask you not to become a statistic for a thrill - your family and friends will be the ones left behind wondering why.

Tornadoes can strike anywhere at any time under the right conditions. Forecasters are continually monitoring the sky for signs of danger and will provide the most timely and accurate warning as possible. I urge everyone to use this information to stay informed and to take steps to protect their lives and the lives of loved ones.

Jack Hayes is the director of NOAA's National Weather Service.

This video really adds something to Jack Hayes's final lesson: trying to capture a tornado instead of seeking shelter. This is a perfect example of what NOT to do! All too often the thrill of chasing to get the video can put people in a very dangerous situation; like this gentleman.

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