Boone County Emergency Management Agency

Severe Weather

Boone County is vulnerable to a variety of severe weather. Heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms, tornadoes and winter storms are all examples of severe weather conditions that may occur in Boone County .

The fastest, most accurate and reliable means of receiving severe weather info rmation is through a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio with a “tone alert” feature and battery backup. Weather radios may be purchased at local electronics stores.

NOAA Weather Radio is operated directly from the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis , Indiana which provides coverage for Boone County . The weather radio “tone alert” is activated when weather watches and warnings are issued. Newer models are capable of warning you only if severe weather is expected to reach Boone County . This feature is called Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.). Ask your local electronics retailer for help programming your weather radio before you leave the store.

Tornadoes are natures most violent storms and can leave an area devastated in minutes. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, striking the ground with winds of up to 300 miles per hour. Many persons have described the sound of an approaching tornado as resembling a train. Tornadoes can strike at any time of the day and during any season of the year. In Indiana , tornadoes occur most frequently in March, April, May and June.

 

Tornado

1. Know the terms used to describe tornado threats and severe weather:

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH means that the current atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms include torrential rainfall, damaging winds, dangerous lightning and hail. Severe thunderstorms can also spawn tornadoes. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local commercial television or radio stations for current info rmation and possible warnings.

A TORNADO WATCH means that the current atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local commercial television or radio stations for current info rmation and possible warnings.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING means that a severe thunderstorm is actually occurring within the jurisdiction for which the warning is being issued. Those persons outside should seek shelter immediately and tune to NOAA Weather Radio or local commercial television or radio stations for specific info rmation concerning the storm.

A TORNADO WARNING means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by National Weather Service radar. This is an extremely dangerous situation and you should take shelter immediately.

2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with "tone alert" and battery backup.

3. Develop an Emergency Plan.

4. Maintain a Disaster Supplies

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Be sure everyone in your household knows in advance where to go and what to do in the event that a tornado warning is issued for Boone County .

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED

 

WHAT TO DO AFTER A TORNADO

 

 

LIGHTNING

Lightning is a serious hazard during thunderstorms. Take these special precautions if you are threatened by lightning:

If outside with no time to reach a safe building or automobile, follow these rules:

 

 

  

FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS

As little as six inches of fast moving water can knock you off your feet and a depth of two feet will float your car! Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Stop, turn around and go another way.

Regardless of how a flood or flash flood occurs the plan for staying safe is simple: head for higher ground and stay out of flood waters.

 

 

 

 

TERMS DEFINED

FLOOD – occurs in known floodplains when prolonged rainfall or intense rainfall over a short period of time causes a river or stream to overflow.

FLASH FLOOD – occurs within a few minutes or up to6 hours after a rain event or after a sudden release of water due to a dam or levee failure or the release of an ice or debris dam.

 

HOW TO PREPARE

What to Listen For:

Flash Flood or Flood Watch – Flash Flooding or Flooding is possible within the watch area. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local commercial television or radio stations for current info rmation and possible warnings.

Flash Flood or Flood Warning – Flash Flooding or Flooding has been reported or is imminent in the warning area. Take all necessary precautions at once.

 

 

 

 

 

WINTER STORM PREPAREDNESS

Heavy snowfall, ice and extreme cold can quickly immobilize an entire region. The result can range from isolation due to power outages and blocked roads to the havoc caused by improperly equipped vehicles trying to maneuver on ice and snow covered roads. Your family should be prepared to protect themselves from the many hazards of winter weather – blizzards, heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE WINTER STORMS OCCUR

Know the terms used to forecast winter weather conditions:

Be prepared before a winter storm occurs:

 

WHAT DO TO DURING A WINTER STORM

If you are isolated at home:

If a blizzard traps you in your car:

 

 

©2006 Boone County Emergency Management Agency