Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
600 AM CST Wed Mar 01 2017
...Todays Topic for Severe Weather Awareness Week is Tornadoes...
The National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Arkansas
Department of Emergency Management, has proclaimed the week of
February 26th through March 4th as Severe Weather Awareness Week
in Arkansas.
A different topic will be discussed each day, and todays topic
is tornadoes.
In 2016, 25 tornadoes were counted in Arkansas. In an average
year, 33 tornadoes are expected in the state.
The peak seasons for tornadoes are spring and fall. This is when
warm and cold air masses collide most often. In 2016, of the
25 tornadoes counted, there were 13 in March and 10 in April.
The strongest tornado /rated EF2/ of 2016 affected portions of
Crawford and Washington Counties in northwest Arkansas on March
23rd.
There were no high end /at least EF4/ tornadoes documented. The
last one of these tracked 41 miles though Pulaski, Faulkner, and
White Counties on April 27th of 2014. This tornado killed
16 people.
Monster tornadoes like this are rare. From 2000 through 2016,
only two other tornadoes were rated as high as the one on April
27th. During this seventeen year time frame, 669 tornadoes were
spawned locally, and 83 percent of them /554 tornadoes/ were
weak /rated EF0 or EF1/. These weak twisters accounted for only
3 fatalities.
...Outdoor Tornado Sirens...
Many towns and counties in Arkansas have acquired outdoor
warning sirens to alert the public when tornadoes threaten. When
these sirens are kept in proper working order, they do their job
as expected and help warn the public.
While Tornado Warnings often cause the sirens to blow, the
National Weather Service does not have any control over the
sirens.
In Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County, the
National Weather Service has an advisory role as to when the
sirens should be sounded, but this does not prevent these
jurisdictions from blowing their sirens if they deem it necessary.
Elsewhere in Arkansas, the decision to blow the sirens is made
by designated city or county officials.
...What You Can Do to Protect Yourself - Tornado Safety Rules...
One of the newer safety rules is to avoid taking shelter under a
highway overpass. Rotating winds surrounding a tornado can hit
you with a lot of debris, and blow you out from beneath the
bridge.
Be sure you know the difference between a watch and a warning.
The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch when tornadoes
are possible. A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been
indicated on Doppler Weather Radar or has been sighted.
Counties and cities are mentioned in Tornado Warnings. If you are
new to the area, keep a map handy for reference.
Make sure that you have a reliable way to receive weather
information. Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radios are an excellent
way to keep up with the weather, even if your power has gone out.
If you are going to be at a large gathering, such as at a school,
stadium or place of worship, make sure that someone is keeping an
eye on the weather.
A tornado shelter, tornado cellar, or a safe room is the safest
place to be, but these are not found in most homes. The next
safest place is usually a basement, but these are not common in
Arkansas. If you do not have any of these, go to an interior room
on the lowest floor of a house or building. Put as many walls
between you and the outdoors as possible.
Many businesses, such as large stores, shopping malls, hospitals,
nursing homes, and schools have pre-arranged safety plans and
designated safe areas. If you are in one of these places, follow
the instructions given inside these buildings.
If you are in a vehicle, your best option is to move to a sturdy
building.
Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection during
a tornado, and should be abandoned.
Keep in mind that the elderly, the very young, and people with
physical or mental challenges will often need more time to get
to safety. Make special provisions if you are a care-giver for
these people.
&&
Notes for the News Media...
There is a Tornado Drill scheduled in place of the weekly test
on NOAA Weather Radio at 10 am CST on March 1st. People are
encouraged to practice going to a place of safety when the
NOAA Weather Radio alarm is sounded. In the event of
threatening weather, the test will be postponed until the
next day at the same time.
For a list of all the tornadoes and other significant weather
events that occurred in 2016...
http://www.weather.gov/media/lzk/StormsOf2016.pdf
$$
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