Severe Weather Awareness Week: April 23-29, 2023

Sunday: April 23, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management have 
proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State. The 
National Weather Service will be working in partnership with several agencies 
of the New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission and the New York State 
Broadcasters Association to inform residents of the potential dangers associated with
flash flooding, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.

Internally, the communications drills will give the National Weather Service staff the 
opportunity to practice skills usually applied under stress.  Externally, the statewide 
drills give public safety and preparedness officials, the broadcast media, and all New 
Yorkers the opportunity to test their planned methods of receiving emergency weather 
messages. Recipients of warning messages such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, 
businesses, and individuals can use this opportunity to see if they are prepared to deal
effectively with sudden, dangerous weather situations. Practicing our response to 
hazardous weather or flood threats can pay big dividends when actual disasters occur.

We will also recommend ways New Yorkers can protect themselves and their families from 
those hazards. These safety tips will be issued as Public Information Statements as well
as Facebook posts and Twitter feeds throughout the week. All media outlets are being urged 
to disseminate these important messages to their readers, viewers, and listeners.

Practicing our response to hazardous weather or flood threats can pay big
dividends when actual disasters occur.

Monday: April 24, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management have 
proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week 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, hail of one inch in diameter or larger, or a tornado.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that severe thunderstorms are possible over the next 
several hours.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that severe thunderstorms are imminent or occurring. 
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,
and all lightning is dangerous.

A Tornado Warning means that a tornado is imminent or occurring. Take shelter immediately 
on the lowest floor of a sturdy building away from windows which can shatter.

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, 7 days a week. Your National Weather Service highly recommends everyone 
have access to a NOAA Weather Radio. 

For more information about severe weather safety visit the following 
website: https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Tuesday April 25, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management have 
proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State.

With the beginning of spring in New York and the gradual return of warmer weather comes 
the increasing likelihood of thunderstorms. As is usually the case, a few of these storms 
can bring damaging winds, large hail, flooding rains, and dangerous lightning.

The National Weather Service defines a severe thunderstorm as one which produces wind gusts
of at least 58 miles an hour (50 knots) and/or hail of one inch in diameter or larger. 
Frequent cloud to ground lightning and torrential rain which can often accompany them, does
not define severe thunderstorms.

When forecasters at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, in consultation 
with the forecasters at the National Weather Service in Buffalo, determine that atmospheric 
conditions favor the formation of severe thunderstorms within the next 6 hours, a Severe 
Thunderstorm Watch is issued. A watch usually covers several counties and means that 
damaging winds or large hail are possible though not yet a certainty.

You can continue your normal activities when a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for 
your county, however you should remain alert to the possibility of severe storms and be 
prepared to take quick action. Keep a close eye on the sky for threatening weather 
conditions and be ready to move to safe shelter if necessary.

Boaters may wish to stay closer to shore and safe harbor.

Have a NOAA Weather Radio handy or check with your favorite radio or TV station for the 
latest weather.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued when a severe storm is either detected on weather
radar or reported by storm spotters or law enforcement to be occurring. When a warning is 
in effect, you should take quick action to protect yourself. Go indoors in a sturdy 
building, away from windows which can shatter, or doors which can swing open from the wind. 
The best place in a building is a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Avoid 
using corded telephones or other electrical appliances unless it's an emergency.

Boaters should get to shore and safe harbor immediately or get below deck.

If you are driving, be alert to the possibility of road flooding. Do not drive where water
is covering the road. The water may be hiding a washout, and it only takes a few feet of 
rapidly flowing water to sweep away your vehicle. 

For more information about severe weather safety visit our website 
at https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Wednesday: April 26, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management have 
proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State.

The National Weather Service in partnership with the agencies of the New York State Disaster
Preparedness Commission, local agencies, volunteer agencies, and private sector organizations
are urging all New Yorkers to learn how to protect themselves from the hazards of flooding, 
tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.

There are several steps you can take before, during, and after a storm to keep safe this 
spring and summer.

Before a storm, develop a plan for you and your family at home, school, work, and when you 
are outdoors. Identify in advance a safe place to take shelter, and conduct frequent drills.

Know what action you will take when a warning is issued. Know the county where you are located 
and the names of nearby towns. The National Weather Service references county, town, and city
names in the warnings that are issued. Know where to tune to receive the latest weather 
information.

During severe weather, postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. Move to a
sturdy building or car. Stay away from tall objects such as towers, isolated tall trees, and
telephone poles. If caught outdoors, find a low spot. Make sure your choice is not 
susceptible to flooding. If you are in the woods, take shelter under smaller trees. If you
are boating or swimming, seek shelter on land immediately.

If a tornado warning is issued, move to a place of safety, preferably a basement or interior
room. A car is not a safe location during a tornado. Stay away from windows. Get as low to 
the ground as possible, and cover your head. If you are caught outdoors and a tornado 
threatens, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware
of flying debris, which causes the most fatalities and injuries during a tornado.

Mobile homes offer little protection from a tornado. Evacuate your mobile home and move to
your designated place of safety.

After the severe weather has cleared, get medical care quickly at the nearest hospital if 
necessary. If the power is out, use flashlights, not flammable objects such as candles, 
torches, or lanterns. Report broken or downed utility lines to authorities. Boil drinking 
water before use. Do not visit disaster areas.

Your chances of remaining safe during severe weather are greater if you follow these safety 
rules. You should prepare now for the upcoming severe weather season.

For more information about severe weather safety visit out website 
at https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Thursday: April 27, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management have 
proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State.

Tornadoes are an awesome display of nature's power. Although they are most common in the 
Midwest and Great Plains, tornadoes do occur in New York as well. On average, six 
tornadoes occur each year across all of New York State.

The primary mission of the National Weather Service is to protect lives from hazardous 
weather. Meteorologists closely monitor the atmosphere for conditions which may produce 
tornadoes or severe thunderstorms.

If there is a potential for storm development within the next several hours, a Tornado 
Watch will be issued. While you can continue with your routine activities when a watch 
is in effect, you should pay close attention to the sky. If it becomes unusually 
threatening, or if you hear thunder, it's always best to go indoors until the storm 
passes. Why take the chance? Tornadoes can form very rapidly. Also, listen for the 
latest weather information on your favorite radio or TV station, or on NOAA Weather Radio.

Doppler radar currently in use at all National Weather Service offices has greatly aided
forecasters in detecting tornadoes. In addition, volunteer storm spotters trained by 
the National Weather Service have provided valuable ground truth information on tornado 
touchdowns. 

If a tornado is sighted by spotters or detected on radar, the National Weather Service 
will quickly issue a Tornado Warning for communities in the storms path. If you live in
or near a community mentioned in the warning, you should take cover immediately by going 
into an interior room, away from windows, on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. A 
basement offers the best protection followed by interior closets and hallways. Mobile 
homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. 
Never attempt to outrun a tornado in your car. It is always better to leave your vehicle 
for a sturdy shelter. If that is not possible, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression 
and cover your head. Remember, flying debris from the wind of a tornado causes most 
deaths and injuries. 

For more information about severe weather safety visit out website 
at https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm 

Friday: April 28, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management 
have proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State.

Of all the weather hazards which confront New Yorkers, flooding poses the greatest 
threat to lives and property. On August 10th, 2009, flash flooding ravaged parts of 
Gowanda and Silver Creek in Western NY resulting in millions of dollars in damage.

The heavy rains of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2012 caused over a 
billion dollars in flood damages across New York State and damages from Sandy were 
over 40 billion dollars.

When looking at previous flood events in New York, one can see that flooding is a 
serious threat at any time of year. If you live in a flood prone area, you must 
always be prepared. National Weather Service forecasters routinely monitor river 
levels, rainfall, and snowfall in New York.

Whenever there is a threat that rainfall will result in flooding, a flood watch
will be issued. You should be prepared for the possibility of flooding whenever a
flood watch is in effect. Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas. The 
potential loss of electricity would make gasoline pumps inoperable. Know your 
evacuation routes in advance in case you have to leave the area. Make arrangements 
for a place to stay if you are forced to leave your home, and keep a stock of food 
which requires no cooking or refrigeration. The potential loss of electricity or 
natural gas service will spoil perishable foods. Store drinking water in 
containers or a clean bathtub, about a gallon of water per person, per day, for up
to four days.

The National Weather Service will issue a Flood or Flash Flood Warning whenever 
flooding is either occurring or is imminent. You must act quickly when a Flash 
Flood Warning is issued for your community. If you live in an area near a river or 
stream, move to higher ground, but never drive across a flooded road. The water may 
be hiding a road washout, or the current may be strong enough to sweep your vehicle 
away. If your car stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground. Finally, be 
especially cautious at night since it's harder to recognize flood dangers.

For more information about severe weather safety visit out website 
at https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm 

Saturday: April 29, 2023

...SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK CONCLUDES...

The National Weather Service and the New York State Office of Emergency Management 
have proclaimed April 23 to April 29 Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State.

NOAA Weather Radio is one of the best ways for people to receive immediate hazardous 
weather information. Most models have a warning alert feature. Using a special audio 
tone, National Weather Service meteorologists can automatically activate these radio 
receivers and give live information on the exact location and movement of 
dangerous storms or flooding.

Newer models use the SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) digital technology as 
commercial broadcast stations use to activate the emergency alert system. NOAA Weather
Radio is also a direct information source for other natural and man made hazards such 
as earthquakes and toxic chemical spills. That's because the National Weather Service
maintains a close relationship with national, state, and local emergency management 
agencies.

Even when the weather is not threatening, NOAA Weather Radio is a great source of up 
to the minute weather information, forecasts, marine weather, and climate information, 
24 hours a day, 7 days a week direct from your local National Weather Service Office.

Weather radios are relatively inexpensive, and they are available at your favorite 
electronics supply store. 

In Western New York, NOAA Weather Radio stations transmit from...

Buffalo on 162.55 MHz
Rochester on 162.400 MHz
Spencerport on 162.525 MHz
Lyons on 162.475 MHz
Watertown on 162.475 MHz
Frewsburg on 162.525 MHz
Little Valley on 162.425 MHz

All broadcasts originate from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Buffalo.

Today concludes Severe Weather Awareness Week. Over the last 20 years severe weather 
has killed over 100 people in New York and caused billions of dollars in damage. On 
average, the National Weather Service issues 400 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 17 
Tornado Warnings, and 150 Flash Flood Warnings each year in New York.

Plan now to keep safe during severe weather.

For more information about severe weather safety visit out website 
at https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm