Governor David A. Paterson has proclaimed the week of April
27 - May 3, 2008 as Weather Hazards Awareness Week in the
Empire
State.
Over
the last 20 years, severe weather has killed 75 people in
New York and caused over three quarters of a billion
dollars in damage. On average, NOAA's National Weather
Service issues 400 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 17
Tornado Warnings and about 150 Flash Flood Warnings each
year in
New
York
State. To reduce your chances of being killed or injured
by severe weather, it is important to understand the
meaning of severe weather watches and warnings.
Severe thunderstorms are defined as those thunderstorms
that produce winds of 58 mph or greater and or hail of
three quarters of an inch in diameter or larger. A Severe
Thunderstorm Watch means that severe thunderstorms are
possible over the next several hours. You should continue
with your daily routine, but be prepared to move to a
place of safety should a Severe Thunderstorm Warning be
issued. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that severe
thunderstorms are imminent or occurring. A warning implies
a significant threat to life and property. You should seek
shelter immediately when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is
issued.
Even if a thunderstorm is not considered severe, it is
always a good idea to go indoors since lightning is a
potential threat. By definition, all thunderstorms contain
lightning.
Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air in contact
with the ground. Like a Severe Thunderstorm Watch...a
Tornado Watch means that tornadoes are possible over the
next several hours. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado
is imminent or occurring. A Tornado Warning implies an
immediate threat to life and property. Take shelter
immediately in a sturdy building away from windows which
can shatter. The best place is a small room or closet on
the lowest level of the building.
Flash flooding is a rapid rise, within six hours, of water
along a stream or low lying urban area. The most common
cause of flash flooding is downpours associated with
thunderstorms. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions
are favorable for flash flooding. Continue with your daily
activities, but be prepared to head to a place of safety
should a Flash Flood Warning be issued. A Flash Flood
Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood waters can rise rapidly. Move to higher ground
immediately when a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
NOAA Weather radio offers the best way to stay in touch
with extreme weather conditions 24 hours a day and 7 days
a week. Your National Weather Service highly recommends
everyone have access to a NOAA Weather Radio.
www.nws.noaa.gov 
