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Governor Joe Manchin has proclaimed April 19-25 , 2009 as Severe Weather Awareness week in West Virginia.
The National Weather Service, in conjunction with the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management,will issue information about severe weather in West Virginia.
The goal of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to heighten everyone’s knowledge of the dangers of flooding, severe
thunderstorms and tornadoes, and to provide information to help everyone get prepared for severe weather before it
occurs.
This document contains information about severe weather terms, safety rules, and some tornado events that affected West
Virginia. Daily statements will be issued on newswires and NOAA All Hazards Radio during the week. Your local
National Weather Service office will be available throughout Awareness Week for interviews or questions.
∗ National Sky Awareness Week
April 19-25, 2009
www.weatherworks.com/
skyawareness.week.html
∗ National Safe Boating Week
May 16-22, 2009
www.safeboatingcouncil.org
∗ Lightning Safety Week
June 21-27, 2009
Ot h er d a t e s t o n o t e
In this issue:
Tornado Safety 2
West Virginia’s
Tornado History
3
Lightning Safety 4
Severe Weather
Definitions
5
Important NWS
Changes!
6
Heat Information 6
Floods and Flash
Floods
7
Spring 2009
April 19-25, 2009
N A t i o n a l w e a t h e r
s e r v i c e
* C h a r l e s t o n * P i t t s b u r g h *
* S t e r l i n g * B l a c k s b u r g *
Severe Weather
AWARENESS
Week
Storm Summaries are now available on NWS Charleston and NWS Pittsburgh
homepages in West Virginia. Call our toll free number 1-877-633-6772 and see your
reports. Read more about this new tool on page 6!
Sunday April 19: Kick-off: Weather Terminology and definitions
Monday, April 20: Lightning: EVERY thunderstorm contains lightning, so every one of
them is dangerous
Tuesday, April 21: Tornadoes: Do you know the safest place to seek shelter at home,
school and work?
Wednesday, April 22: Severe Thunderstorms: Some can be as powerful and damaging as
a tornado!
Thursday, April 23: Flash Floods: West Virginia’s deadliest weather threat
Friday, April 24: Situational Awareness: Increasing yours will help keep you safe
during severe weather
Saturday, April 25: Information Exchange: Find out how you can help the NWS by sending
us your weather reports
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A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to
the ground.
The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70
mph.
Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year.
TORNADO SAFETY
IN HOMES OR SMALL BUILDINGS:
Go to the basement (if available) or to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as
a closet or bathroom. Wrap yourself in overcoats or blankets to protect yourself
from flying debris.
IN SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, FACTORIES, OR SHOPPING CENTERS:
Go to interior rooms and halls on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed
places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses. Crouch
down and cover your head.
IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS:
Go to interior small rooms or halls. Stay away from exterior walls
or glassy areas.
IN CARS OR MOBILE HOMES:
ABANDON THEM IMMEDIATELY!! Most deaths occur in cars and mobile homes.
If you are in either of those locations, leave them and go to a substantial structure
or designated tornado shelter.
IF NO SUITABLE STRUCTURE IS NEARBY:
Lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head.
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The map below shows the number of tornadoes reported in each
county from 1950 through November 2008.
West Virginia Tornado Facts
Strongest: The Shinnston tornado that ravaged a path of destruction from Shinnston to Cheat
Mountain, then on to Maryland and ending in Pennsylvania in the Allegheny Mountains,
on June 23, 1944 was the only twister to produce F4 damage in West Virginia.
Longest path: April 4, 1974 Tornado – 65 miles – covered McDowell, Wyoming, Raleigh,
Fayette, Summers and Greenbrier Counties.
Deadliest: The Shinnston tornado on June 23, 1944 - killed 103 people in West Virginia.
Widest: 300 yards - June 2, 1988 in Preston County near Glade Farms and on May, 21
1967 in Randolph County.
Costliest: June 2, 1988 in Preston County near Glade Farms - $ 7 million dollars in damage
and possibly the 1944 Shinnston tornado, no damage estimates were available.
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All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning kills more people each year than tornadoes.
Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the
storm because people try and wait to the last minute before seeking shelter. You are in danger from lightning if you
can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment.
Get inside!!
Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death. On average, 10% of strike victims die; 70% of
survivors suffer serious long term effects.
Blue Skies and Lightning. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks blue and clear, be
cautious. If you hear thunder, take cover. At least 10% of lightning occurs without visible clouds overhead in the sky.
􀁡 There is NO safe place to be outside in a thunderstorm.
􀁡 If you can't get into a fully enclosed building or vehicle, do not seek shelter under
trees or partially open structures. Sitting or crouching on the ground is NOT safe and
should be your last resort.
􀁡 Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles. Avoid metal! Don't
hold on to metal items such golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets or tools.
􀁡 Get out of the water. It's a great conductor of electricity. Don't stand in puddles of
water, even if wearing rubber boots.
􀁡 Move away from a group of people. Stay several yards away from other people. Don't
share a bleacher bench or huddle in a group.
LIGHTING SAFETY WEEK JUNE 21-27, 2009
www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov
25 million cloud-toground
lightning
strikes occur in the
United States each year
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Lightning can
heat its path five
times hotter than
the surface of the sun
1996-2007 Lightning Fatalities
4.1%
5.6%
3.7%
2.2%
3.9%
2.8%
12.0%
47.1%
0.2%
18.3%
ball field
boating
camping
heavy
equipment/construction
golfing
in water
other
outside/open areas
telephone
under tree
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SEVERE WEATHER TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Warning - a particular weather hazard is either imminent or has been reported. A
warning indicates the need to take immediate action to protect life and property.
The type of hazard is reflected in the type of warning (e.g., tornado warning, blizzard
warning).
Watch - a particular hazard is possible, or when conditions support its occurrence. A watch is a recommendation for
planning, preparation, and increased awareness (i.e., to be alert for changing weather, listen for further information,
and think about what to do if the danger materializes).
Tornado - A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from the base of a thunderstorm.
Severe Thunderstorm - A thunderstorm that produces tornadoes, hail 0.75 inches or more in diameter, or winds of
50 knots (58 mph) or more.
Straight-line Winds - Generally, any wind that is not associated with rotation, used mainly to differentiate them
from tornadic winds.
Flood - The condition that occurs when water overflows the natural or artificial confines of a stream or other body of
water, or accumulates by drainage over low-lying areas.
Flash Flood - A flood that rises and falls quite rapidly, usually as the result of intense rainfall over a relatively small
area. Usually it occurs within 6 hours of a rain event.
Slight Risk (of severe thunderstorms) - Implies well-organized severe thunderstorms are expected, but in small numbers
and/or low coverage.
Moderate Risk (of severe thunderstorms) - Indicates a potential for a greater concentration of severe thunderstorms
than the slight risk, and in most situations, greater magnitude of the severe weather.
High Risk (of severe thunderstorms) - Suggests a major severe weather outbreak is expected, with a high concentration
of severe weather reports and an enhanced likelihood of extreme severe (i.e., violent tornadoes or very damaging
convective wind events occurring across a large area).
Supercell - A thunderstorm with a persistent rotating updraft. Supercells are rare, but are responsible for a remarkably
high percentage of severe weather events - especially tornadoes, extremely large hail and damaging straight-line
winds.
Squall Line - A solid or nearly solid line or band of active thunderstorms.
Downburst - A strong downdraft resulting in an outward burst of damaging winds on or near the ground. Downburst
winds can produce damage similar to a strong tornado. Although usually associated with thunderstorms, downbursts
can occur with showers too weak to produce thunder.
Funnel Cloud - A condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud, associated
with a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground (and hence different from a tornado). A condensation
funnel is a tornado, not a funnel cloud, if either a) it is in contact with the ground or b) a debris cloud or
dust whirl is visible beneath it.
Cold-air Funnel - A funnel cloud that can develop from a small shower or thunderstorm when the air aloft is unusually
cold (hence the name). On rare occasions, small, relatively weak tornado can occur. These weak tornadoes last
only a few minutes and are generally much less violent than other types of tornadoes.
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Real-Time Local Storms Summary is available, NOW!
The Real-Time Local Storms Summary is available on the
Charleston and the Pittsburgh websites. Now, instead of just
reading about what happened in your area, you can see a picture
of what of What Happened and be a part of it as well! If
you have any severe weather to report you can call our toll free
number 1- 877- 633 - 6772. Reports can also be made via the
internet at: espotter.weather.gov and your report will show
up here!!.
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Heat Wave
How can I be prepared and stay safe?
• Wear light clothes, sunglasses and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
• Drink plenty of water at all times, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Do not overexert yourself.
• Eat light meals.
• Stay out of the sun when possible.
Did you know?
In 2007, according to NWS
statistics, 105 fatalities
were attributed to heat!
There were 1886 injuries.
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/sum07.pdf
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Flood and Flash Flood Information
FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD SAFETY TIPS
• Monitor NOAA All Hazards Radio or your favorite news source for vital weather
information.
• If flooding occurs, get to higher ground, away from areas subject to flooding.
• Avoid areas already flooded and do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
• Do not drive around barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Some cities and
counties will issue a fine to motorists who ignore barriers!
• Never drive through flooded roadways as road beds may be washed out under
flood waters.
• If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek
higher ground.
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, if there is a threat of
flooding. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
CHECK OUT THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE (AHPS)
AHPS is a great tool to check out the latest in river flood information. Information on flood stage, flood
impacts and any current flood warnings or statements is available for each station on the map. If you live
or work near a river or stream, this page will be of great help to you! www.weather.gov/ahps
Hazardous Weather Outlook: This product alerts the public when flood producing rainfall is expected in 36
to 72 hours or if any severe weather threat is expected. During the months of February and March, this product
also contains information on the potential for flooding from the spring snow melt.
Flood Watch: A flood or flash flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding or flash flooding
to develop.
Flash Flood Warning: A warning is issued when rapid flooding is imminent. Flash floods quickly develop
within six hours of a heavy rainfall event.
Flood Advisory (issued as a Flood Statement): These statements are issued when minor flooding problems
are expected, mostly in flood prone urban areas, near small streams that may rise quickly out of their banks or
larger rivers that rise near flood stage. Even minor flooding can cause huge problems if proper precautions are
not taken.
CRITICAL NWS FLOOD PRODUCTS
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According to
FEMA:
The average annual
U.S. flood losses from 1996-2005
was more than $2.4 billion.
Hurricanes, winter storms and snow
melt are common (but often overlooked)
causes of flooding.
On June 19, 2008, eighteen counties
in West Virginia received a FEMA
Disaster Declaration for severe
storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides
and landslides.
FLOOD FACTS
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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, CHARLESTON
400 Parkway Road
Charleston, WV
http://weather.gov/CharlestonWV
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTACTS
CHARELSTON, WV—Jason Franklin, Jason.Franklin@noaa.gov, 1-304-746-0180
PITTSBURGH, PA—Rich Kane, Richard.Kane@noaa.gov, 1-412-262-1591
STERLING, VA— Chris Strong, Christopher.Strong@noaa.gov, 1-703-260-0107
BLACKSBURG, VA— Phil Hysell, Phil.Hysell@noaa.gov , 1-540-522-0084