* NATIONAL LIGHTNING AWARENESS WEEK - JUNE 21st - 27th
Lightning is one of the most deadly and damaging types of weather we face here in North Carolina and it typically does not receive enough attention.
In the United States, an average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning. Already in 2009, 15 people have died due to lightning strikes. In 2008, 28 people were struck and killed by lighting in the U.S.; hundreds of others were injured. Of the victims who were killed by lightning in 2008:
- 100% were outside
- 79% were male
- 36% were males between the ages of 20-25
- 32% were standing under a tree
- 29% occurred on or near the water
For more information regarding lightning safety, please visit the following web page:
* 2009 Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 24th - May 30th 2009)
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the affects of a hurricane disaster.
The goal of Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 24th - May 30th 2009) is to is to provide knowledge which can be used to take action and protect lives and property while at work or at home, whether on the road or on the water.
You should be able to answer the following questions before a tropical system threatens:
- What are the hazards
- How will this affect me
- What actions should I take to be prepared
In order to assist you with decision making and common sense, each day this week the National Weather Service has highlighted a different topic relating to the history, affects, forecasts, preparedness and actions required when confronting land falling tropical systems such as hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions; these topics and their appropriate links are listed below:
Sunday - Hurricane History
Monday - Storm Surge
Tuesday - High Winds
Wednesday - Inland Flooding
Thursday - Forecast Process
Friday - Be Prepared
Saturday - Take Action
It is important for your family/work to have a plan that includes the potential hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of tropical system hazard and prepare your family/work disaster plan accordingly.
(More information can be found by visiting the following web site: National Hurricane Preparedness Week )
* 1999-2008 Tornado Fatalities by the Numbers:
During the past decade there have been 631 tornado fatalities (primary cause of death)
-
323 (51%) were male with an average age of 48
-
308 (49%) were female with an average age of 51
-
344 (55%) perished during the nighttime hours.
-
287 (45%) perished during the daytime hours.
Fatality circumstance information:
-
In Mobile Home: 312 (49%)
-
In Home: 208 (33%)
-
In Vehicle: 48 (8%)
-
In Building: 37 (6%)
-
Outside: 26 (4%)
475 (75%) of the decade’s tornado fatalities have occurred within the first 6 months of the year. April and May show the highest number of fatalities. 156 (25%) of all tornado fatalities have occurred in the July through December period. A maximum in fatal tornado events shows up in the data during the month of November.
Breakdown by circumstance/time of day:
-
204 (32%) perished in a mobile home during nighttime hours
-
108 (17%) perished in a mobile home during daytime hours
-
104 (16%) perished in a house during daytime hours
-
104 (16%) perished in a house during nighttime hours
-
32 (5%) perished in a permanent building during daytime
-
27 (4%) perished in a vehicle during the daytime
-
21 (3%) perished in a vehicle during the nighttime
-
16 (3%) perished outside during daytime hours
-
10 (2%) perished outside during nighttime hours
-
5 (1%) perished in a permanent building during nighttime
* NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK: MARCH 16TH - 20TH 2009
Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property. More information can be found via the following link:
* SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 1st - 9th, 2009
This week has been declared North Carolina's
Severe Weather Awareness Week for 2009. All week long the National
Weather Service
will be issuing informative messages to help you prepare for severe
weather. Each day a different topic will be covered:
Monday - WHAT IS A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM?
Tuesday - LIGHTNING
Wednesday - TORNADOES . . . * STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL - 9:30am *
Thursday - FLOODING
Friday - THE SEVERE WEATHER WARNING PROCESS
Taking a look back at 2008, North Carolina was struck by some of the most violent storms experienced in the last 10 years. In fact North Carolina ranked fourth in the nation last year in the overall amount of severe weather experienced falling behind Texas, Kansas and Missouri. A number of deadly tornadic supercell thunderstorms struck the state resulting in as many as 10 strong to violent tornadoes rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale as EF2 and higher with winds in excess of 130 mph. These tornadoes claimed 3 lives, injured dozens more and left many families homeless resulting in over 15 million dollars in damages. Many of these tornadoes also struck at night as everyone slept catching many individuals off guard despite warning lead times averaging 20 minutes. These night time monsters have a history of being particularly deadly in North Carolina.
A recent study of tornadoes found that North Carolina was ranked first in the nation with the greatest percentage of killer night time tornadoes. Of all the tornado fatalities since 1950, 82% of tornado fatalities have occurred at night. Compare this with the fact that only about 28% of all tornadoes actually touch down at night. A potential significant reason for the area’s high fatality rates in comparison to high-risk areas like Tornado Alley could be the prevalence of night time tornadoes in March, May and November. These stronger tornadoes tend to strike during these three months. This factor, combined with the amount of tree cover, unique geography, and low cloud bases, make identifying tornadoes especially difficult.
The last five years alone have seen a large amount of
severe weather in
North Carolina. Over the last five years there have been nearly
5000 reports of large hail and
damaging wind statewide resulting in
over thirty two million dollars in damage. Severe thunderstorms are
also responsible for injuries and even deaths in the state resulting
from lightning and high winds. The severe thunderstorm season in
central North Carolina typically starts in March and does not end until
late in the fall.
There are so many great outdoor activities across the state of North Carolina and severe weather can bring a quick end to a days pleasure. Listen to NOAA weather radio, television or local radio for the latest forecasts and possible threat of thunderstorms and severe weather. If warnings are issued...take action and protect your family and property. Remember being safe is a lot better than being sorry!
(Excerpts from: "'Get In, Get Down, and Cover Up' When Severe Weather Threatens" by Jeff Orrock, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Raleigh, N.C.)
