Severe Weather Preparedness

April showers bring May flowers and sometimes tornadoes too! How prepared are YOU in the event of severe weather for your area? 2020 brought more than just COVID for Arkansas including 45 tornados. This being the most active season since 2011. The state of Arkansas averages 39 tornadoes per year as per data between 2000-2020. But, tornadoes aren’t the only thing to worry about when it comes to severe weather in Arkansas.

Straight-Line winds – winds being greater than 50mph pose a threat to limbs, trees, and specifically to mobile homes and can easily cause destruction equal to a tornado.

Hail, which even at just 1/2 inch in diameter or the size of a marble can cause extensive damage. The largest reported in Arkansas being in 2006 in White County just 2 miles North of Searcy where hail was recorded at a whopping 5 inches in diameter. That is roughly equivalent to the size of the average grapefruit.

Flash floods, while commonly overlooked, are responsible for more than 80 fatalities annually over the last 30 years and remain the #1 cause of death associated with thunderstorms. This being more fatalities annually on average then tornadoes and more than half occur in automobiles with people trying to drive through water. Due to this disturbing statistic the National Weather Service coined the phrase – Turn around don’t drown. 12 inches of water will float many vehicles and 2 feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles including SUV’s and pick-ups.

So, how prepared are you? Do you know the difference between a Watch & Warning? This one gets a lot of folks. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a particular severe weather hazard. A warning is issued when severe weather is imminent or occurring. So what should you do in the event a watch or warning is issued?

The National Weather Service advises the following during severe thunderstorm or tornado conditions: 

1. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Stay away from doors and windows.
2. Get down – Get down to the lowest floor possible. Basements are ideal during weather where tornadoes or high winds are likely.
3. Cover up – Protect yourself from flying debris in the event that wind begins throwing things around.
4.  Remain calm – While easier said than done, keeping a calm demeanor can help you make important decisions in the moment that might save you or your loved ones lives. 

While we see ourselves through the remainder of this severe weather season make sure you are prepared for what’s to come. We here at KMTB strive to keep the community informed during severe weather so make sure to tune in and stay up to date with the latest conditions for your area.