Severe Weather Awareness Week will be observed April 16-20 and Tornado Drill Day will be observed April 19.

Friday, April 06, 2001

Severe Weather Awareness Week will be observed April 16-20 and Tornado Drill Day will be observed April 19.

Todd Shea, warning coordinator and meteorologist for the National Weather Service in LaCrosse, Wis., is coordinating the events designed to generate more awareness for weather emergencies.

According to Shea, it is important to know severe weather terminology and what to do and where to go if severe weather strikes.

Shea advises having a good dependable source of weather information and to ensure batteries are available for weather radios and flashlights.

The advice from Shea to take during a weather emergency is to listen for possible warnings and be ready to seek shelter quickly.

He also advised closing curtains and blinds in case windows shatter.

The latest weather conditions should be monitored and all "warnings" should be respected and the assumption held that severe weather will strike.

As far as Austin’s weather nemesis, flooding and flash flooding, go, Shea calls it a "common and underrated killer."

The rapid rise in small creeks, streams or drainage areas creates especially dangerous conditions at night, when the high water can’t be seen.

It only takes 2 feet of water to make the average vehicle float and Shea advises "never drive into flood waters."

"Lightning is common to all thunderstorms and another underrated killer," Shea said.

In addition, strong straight-line winds from thunderstorms can do extensive damage and hail also is associated with thunderstorms.

Lastly, tornadoes are not always visible and can form with little advance warning, according to Shea.

The NWS at LaCrosse, Wis., studied Minnesota tornadoes for the period 1950-2000.

Beltrami County, Lake of the Woods County and the far southwest corner of Aitkin County were the only areas to report having received 20 or more touch-down tornadoes.

Mower County reported 21 tornado sightings, while Freeborn County reported 32, Dodge County 13, Steele County 14, Olmsted County 28 and Fillmore County 11.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.