Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Statewide tornado drill scheduled for March 5

With the change of seasons from winter to spring comes the chance for severe weather.

In a release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Severe Weather Week will be held March 2-8 in Arkansas. A tornado drill will be held Wednesday, March 5, between 9-9:30 a.m. depending on the weather.

If a severe weather threat develops in the state on this date, the drill will be postponed and rescheduled for Thursday, March 6, at the same time, again depending on the weather.

One of the biggest weather threats this time of the year is tornadoes. These whirling dervishes of wind are spawned from thunderstorms.

The severity of twisters is based on the Fujita scale, ranging from 1-5. An F-1 is the mildest of tornadoes, with the F-5 being the most severe. Winds in an F-5 tornado can exceed 250 miles per hour, while the storm itself can be as much as a mile wide.

There are myths associated with tornadoes, and these should be ignored at all costs.

There is no truth to the myth being near rivers, lakes and mountains are any safer than anywhere else.

The fact is, no place is safe from a tornado.

The myth low pressure in a tornado causes buildings to "explode" should also be ignored.

Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most of the structural damage.

And, everybody's heard how windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize the pressure and cut down the damage.

This, too, is patently false. Opening windows will allow the high winds to enter a structure and cause debris to fly around inside the building.

The best thing to do is leave the windows down and find a safe place.

In the South, the peak tornado season is March through May, though a twister can occur at any time of the year and any part of the nation.

The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but these storms have been known to travel in any direction.

While twisters average moving about 30 mph on the ground, their ground speed can go from almost stationary to around 70 mph.

From 1961-1990, Arkansas had 21 tornadoes, and averaged five deaths from each one.

These figures, of course, don't include the tornadoes of 1997, which ravaged the state from Hope to near Memphis, leaving 26 dead and millions in destruction behind.

Now, when it comes to knowing what to look for during tornado season, first check the color of the sky. Many times, the sky turns a greenish color.

Also look for a wall cloud, large hail and listen for a loud roar, something sounding like a freight train.

But, remember, some tornadoes are hidden by rain or low-hanging clouds, while others are easily seen. Twisters can appear as visible funnels extending part of the way to the ground. In this instance, look for signs of debris beneath the visible funnel.

The most important thing to remember during severe weather is don't panic.

By planning ahead, most problems can be avoided. It would be a good idea to have a NOAA weather radio with a warning tone handy, and make sure the batteries are fresh.

Listen for weather information over the television or radio.

In the event a severe weather warning is issued, find somewhere safe fast.

Here are a few tips to follow:

*stay away from windows;

*get out of vehicles;

*if caught outside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression;

*mobile homes offer little protection, and should be abandoned as quickly as possible;

*in a home, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement; and

*if an underground shelter isn't available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture if possible.

It's also a good idea to have a disaster supply kit.

This kit should include a three-day supply of water (at least a gallon per day per person); food that won't spoil; one change of clothing and footwear per person; one blanket or sleeping bag per person; a first-aid kit with prescription medications in it; emergency tools, including a battery-operated NOAA weather radio; flashlight with plenty of batteries; extra car keys; credit card or cash; and any special items the elderly, infants or the disabled may need.