National Weather service offers tornado tips
…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 25th through March 2nd as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.
A different topic will be discussed each day, and todays topic is tornadoes.
In 2023, 30 tornadoes were counted in Arkansas. In an average year, 37 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 2023, the busiest month was March with 9 tornadoes identified in Arkansas. January and June were not far behind with 6 tornadoes confirmed in both months.
The strongest tornadoes of 2023 (on March 31st) tracked through Pulaski and Lonoke Counties (an almost 35 mile path) and Cross, Crittenden, and Mississippi Counties into western Tennessee (a whopping 73 mile track). Both tornadoes were rated as EF3, with maximum winds estimated around 165 mph and 150 mph respectively.
The tornadoes devastated the Little Rock (Pulaski County) and Wynne (Cross County), and were responsible for 5 deaths and 80 injuries.
Monster tornadoes like this are rare. From 2000 through 2023, only thirty other tornadoes were rated as high as the ones on March 31st. During this twenty four year time frame, 919 tornadoes were spawned locally, and 82 percent of them (751 tornadoes) were weak (rated EF0 or EF1). These weak twisters accounted for only 3 fatalities.
Finally, there was a rarity on June 18th. Two tornadoes (both rated EF2) affected portions of Logan and Union Counties. The last time more than one tornado of this intensity or higher happened on the same day in June was 1979 (on the 28th). …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. 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.
For a list of all the tornadoes and other significant weather events that occurred in 2023… https://www.weather.gov/media/lzk/StormsOf2023.pdf