National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Paducah, KY

Weather Forecast Office

Fall Severe Weather Safety Campaign 2023

Weather.gov > Paducah, KY > Fall Severe Weather Safety Campaign 2023

Fall Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Campaign 2023:

The Fall Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Campaign runs from September 25th through September 29th. This is an opportunity to increase awareness and promote preparedness of severe weather hazards during the fall season and also to generate an increase in the level of response to watches and warnings.

During this week, we will be sending out daily graphics on our social media platforms (Facebook & Twitter). The graphics we plan on sending each day are in the tabs below. Please Share/Retweet to share this knowledge with others.

We will host a Facebook Live Session at 7:00 pm CDT on Monday, September 25th to discuss awareness and preparedness for the upcoming fall severe weather season as well as answer your questions. RSVP for the event here. 

 

Monday's Graphics

Background image is of a large tree that is down and blocking a road with caution tape around it. In the foreground, title text says “Are YOU Prepared?” On the left side there are three green circles with white check marks inside them, next to each one there is text that says “Do you have at least 2 ways to receive NWS warnings?” “Do you know where your safe place or shelter is?” and “Have you made an emergency kit?” On the right hand side is a green box with text inside that explains that fall weather can bring stronger systems and severe weather to this area.   A black poster with a white border, title text at the top says “Are you prepared?” and below that in green text is says “Make sure you have enough food, water, medications, and other supplies for at least 3 days” below that is a yellow circle with a duffle back inside and below that are images of items to keep in your kit such as a weather radio, batteries, a flash light, medication, food, water, money, and pet needs.

Falling leaves and cooler temperatures are a sure sign the fall season is underway. However, this change of seasons can bring strong to severe thunderstorms along with tornadoes, as the atmosphere can become more conducive to more violate weather. Be prepared!

A grey slide titled “Noteworthy Fall Tornado Events” with two cartoon tornadoes on each side of the title. In the middle of the slide are 6 pictures in two columns, next to each picture is the description of the event that picture is from. On the bottom of the slide there is the NWS logo and then text that says “For more information on these events visit weather.gov/pah/events” and then the Weather Ready Nation logo.

Some strong to violent deadly tornado events have occurred in the fall. Here are a few noteworthy events. Please visit www.weather.gov/pah/events for more information.

A grey poster with a picture at the top of a funnel cloud reaching down from a storm cloud, on top of the photo title text says “Important facts about fall tornadoes.” Below the picture are 3 cartoon tornadoes going down the page vertically, with each tornado acting as a bullet point for a fact about fall tornadoes, under each fact is an arrow with indented text giving more information relating to that fact. At the bottom of the poster is the NWS logo in the left hand corner and next to it is text that reads “National Weather Service | Paducah, KY”

Here are some unique facts about fall tornadoes to think about as you work toward updating your preparedness plan for the upcoming fall severe weather season.

 

Tuesday's Graphics

A slide titled “Spring time is not the only time strong/violent tornadoes occur” on the top left hand side, below that text and still on the left hand side it says “Graphs show tornadoes that have occurred in the NWS Paducah’s area from 1996-2023 (YTD).” Below that is a picture explaining the Enhanced Fujita scale. On the right hand side of the slide there are 3 bar graphs stacked vertically. The top one is the number of EF 2 tornadoes each month of the year for this are since 1996, the second graph is the same but for the number of EF 3 tornadoes and the 3rd graph is for the number of EF4 tornadoes.

We often think of spring time as a time for severe weather including tornadoes. While April and May usually bring us the greatest number of tornadoes, we have seen strong to violent tornadoes in the fall months as well. These graphs show the story.

A slide with lightning in the background and two bar graphs in the foreground. The one on the left depicts the total number of tornadoes by month in our region since 1995. The graph on the right shows the number of deaths caused by tornadoes by month in our region since 1996.

Even though most of the tornadoes in our region occur in April and May, you can see that those months do not correlate with the greatest amounts of deaths. We have seen our greatest amounts of deaths from tornadoes in November and December.

A slide titled “Nighttime tornadoes caused 107 of the 114 fatalities in our region.” Below the title on the left hand side is a line graph that shows the number of tornadoes by time of day since 1995. On the right hand side is a table that shows the tornadoes that had fatalities and when they occurred, and are color coded highlighted yellow for a day time tornado and blue for a nighttime tornado all since 1996.

Tornadoes are most likely during the afternoon and evening hours. However, night time tornadoes pose a huge risk for people in our area. Out of the 114 tornado deaths that have occurred, 107 of them occurred with night time tornadoes. Check the weather before heading to bed!

 

Wednesday's Graphics

An infographic that explains the differences between an outlook, a watch, and a warning. At the top color coded green is the description of an outlook which means you should check your action plan and ready your shelter. Below that color coded in yellow is the explanation of a watch which means you should monitor conditions and check latest forecasts. Below that color coded in red is the explanation of a warning, which means severe weather is imminent or already occurring and you should take shelter immediately.

Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?  It is important to know the differences between the two and know how to act when either is issued by your local NWS office.

A poster that looks like a sheet of notebook paper titled “What makes a thunderstorm SEVERE?” next to that is a cartoon cloud with a lightning bolt. Below the title is a yellow circle with text inside that talks about what a “severe” thunderstorm is NOT. Below an to the right of that circle is a teal circle with text inside that describes what a “severe” thunderstorm IS.

Do you know what to expect when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued? Not all storms are alike. We send out severe thunderstorm warnings only for storms that have the potential for OR already producing hail the size of quarters or larger and/or wind gusts 58 mph or greater.

A slide with lightning in the background and a tittle at the top that says “Why own a NOAA weather radio?” On the left are 3 check marks acting as bullet points, next to each is text explaining why weather radios are important. At the bottom is a series of pictures, from left to right: a tornado, ice on trees, a flooded roadway, lightning, and a damaged building.

NOAA Weather Radios are as important as a smoke detector. They are your first line of defense when it comes to threatening weather. They immediately alert when critical information is issued by your local NWS office. Invest in one today – it might save your life!

Thursday's Graphics

A dark green infographic titled “Tornado Safety Tips.” below that it says “Get inside a sturdy structure…” then on the left is cartoon house with a storm cloud and lightning overhead, next to that on the right is a white box that says where you can shelter, below that on the left it continues to describe sheltering in a white box, and next to that on the right is a cartoon car and a tornado. Below that on the left is a cartoon roof with rain and flying debris above it and next to that on the right is a white box with text that describes how you can prepare. Below that on the left is white box with text that describes how you can protect yourself, and next to that is a cartoon of a girl crouching and covering her head.

It is important to know your plan of action if a tornado warning is issued. Review these safety tips so you are ready to act when the next tornado warning is issued for your area. Watch this video on what to do when a warning is issued: https://bit.ly/1ytvzEC

A slide that says “Flood safety tips” in a yellow box vertically on the far left hand side. Across the top it says “Stay clear of flooded roads: most flood deaths occur to people while driving.” Below that are 5 flood safety tips. Below those is a graphic explaining that it doesn’t take much water to sweep a car off the road, 12-24 inches is enough.

Flash flooding causes many death each year, with many of the deaths being preventable. Most flood deaths occur because people make poor choices while driving. Keep these key safety tips in mind when you are out driving near flood waters.

A slide depicting how to put together a preparedness plan. Below the title are 4 blue boxes with yellow arrows in between each pointing from left to right. Text inside the boxes describes how to develop a preparedness plan with your household.

The more prepared you are, the better you will be at dealing with a severe weather situation.  It is crucial that everyone in your household knows the plan and knows how to execute it. 

 

Friday's Graphics

A slide titled “Wireless Emergency Alerts” with a background image of lightning, and on the left hand side is a hand holding a cellphone depicting a WEA alert. On the right hand side inside a black box is text that explains what WEA alerts are and when and why they are sent.

Many cell phones have the capability to receive certain alerts automatically, such as tornado warnings.  These are called wireless emergency alerts and there are no apps to download to receive these messages. They are sent by authorized government agencies.

A slide titled “Mobile devices save lives!” The background image is of a house destroyed by a tornado. On the left hand side is a picture of a cell phone with “apps” depicting messaging with family and friends, social media, weather apps, and the website mobile.weather.gov. On the right hand side is text explaining how mobile devices make a difference and can keep you safe during hazardous weather.

Having a cell phone means we are constantly connected to the things going on around us. Make sure the weather is something you are always keeping track of.  Make use multiple ways to obtain the latest information on your device, especially when bad weather is in the forecast.

A slide titled “Remaining alert is key!” On the left hand side is text explaining how to not let bad weather sneak up on you and to make sure you check for updates often. On the right hand side is a picture of a cellphone showing apps or websites to check such as mobile.weather.gov, following NWSPaducah on social media and Youtube.

Weather impacts just about everyone on a daily basis. Many times weather changes quickly and you have to make sure you know what to expect. Connect with the NWS online or via social media for the very latest information.

 

 

 

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