Weather safety class provides storm savvy
Shannon Walter
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: TruLife
Storm season is brewing, along with awareness and knowledge.
The National Weather Service presented its nationally accredited SkyWarn Storm Spotter course Tuesday at the Department of Conservation. The course is designed to inform people about the proper procedures to take during a storm as well as how to spot one. The free course was open to all Kirksville residents interested in a greater knowledge of storms and storm spotting.
Randy Behrens, Kirksville emergency management director and fire chief, said he sets up the course in Kirksville each year.
He said people should always be aware of the storm shelter in their area. There are many safe places throughout Truman's campus that will offer shelter during a storm, Behrens said.
"Storm season is coming," Behrens said. "[You should] listen to your radio, watch television and be aware of [weather conditions]."
Noelle Runyan is a National Weather Service senior meteorologist at the Pleasant Hill, Mo., office. She said the course covers the conditions for thunderstorm development, types of thunderstorms, what types of weather makes up a severe storm and safety measures to take during storm spotting. Runyan said she has taught the course in the past, but not in Kirksville.
The National Weather Service offers this course every spring many counties in the northern and western parts of Missouri to build storm awareness, Runyan said.
"Our main responsibility [at the National Weather Service] is to issue watches, warnings and advisories," Runyan said. "But we also produce a forecast that helps us keep current in the weather and better forecast those strong severe storms."
Precautions to take during severe storms differ depending on the type of storm and the type of building in which the person is located.
Residents should have a precautionary plan set in place for approaching thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service Web site. They should move to the lowest floor of their and find the room furthest from windows and doors.
The National Weather Service presented its nationally accredited SkyWarn Storm Spotter course Tuesday at the Department of Conservation. The course is designed to inform people about the proper procedures to take during a storm as well as how to spot one. The free course was open to all Kirksville residents interested in a greater knowledge of storms and storm spotting.
Randy Behrens, Kirksville emergency management director and fire chief, said he sets up the course in Kirksville each year.
He said people should always be aware of the storm shelter in their area. There are many safe places throughout Truman's campus that will offer shelter during a storm, Behrens said.
"Storm season is coming," Behrens said. "[You should] listen to your radio, watch television and be aware of [weather conditions]."
Noelle Runyan is a National Weather Service senior meteorologist at the Pleasant Hill, Mo., office. She said the course covers the conditions for thunderstorm development, types of thunderstorms, what types of weather makes up a severe storm and safety measures to take during storm spotting. Runyan said she has taught the course in the past, but not in Kirksville.
The National Weather Service offers this course every spring many counties in the northern and western parts of Missouri to build storm awareness, Runyan said.
"Our main responsibility [at the National Weather Service] is to issue watches, warnings and advisories," Runyan said. "But we also produce a forecast that helps us keep current in the weather and better forecast those strong severe storms."
Precautions to take during severe storms differ depending on the type of storm and the type of building in which the person is located.
Residents should have a precautionary plan set in place for approaching thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service Web site. They should move to the lowest floor of their and find the room furthest from windows and doors.
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