Weather warnings misunderstood, director says

Wilkes County again dodged a bullet this weekend when a storm front that caused deadly tornados across North Georgia brought only strong winds, heavy rains, and large hail here, even as tornado warnings kept citizens and authorities on their toes.

The National Weather Service issued two tornado warnings Saturday afternoon, at 5:09 and at 5:32, for tornados detected by Doppler radar. Authorities were especially concerned that one suspected tornado looked as if it were headed for the Aonia area, where some 5,000 motocross families were camped in motor homes and tents. The tornados passed over Wilkes County without ever touching down.

Earlier in the day, the same line of storms had killed two people in North Georgia, and had brought damage to downtown Atlanta and other areas across the state.

With this second bout with severe weather in as many weeks, however, Wilkes Emergency Management Agency Director Alan Poss said there are still misunderstandings about the use of tornado warning sirens. "The sirens are only to be used for a tornado warning from the National Weather Service," he said. "The sirens are not used to give an all-clear."

If you hear the siren, he said, you should move inside to your preplanned place of safety, and tune to the National Weather Service weather radio. "I can not express how important these weather alert radios are to the public," he said. "Just set it, and it will keep quiet until the weather service sends out a tornado warning for us. Then it will turn itself on, even in the middle of the night, and give you the exact information you need to be safe."

When the tornado warning sounds, by siren or radio, everyone should move to a place of safety immediately, Poss said. In the home or business, this should be on the lowest level, away from windows and exterior walls, in the strongest structural part of the building.
During a tornado WATCH:
l Stay tuned to radio or TV for updates.
l Be prepared to take shelter at any time, since some tornadoes
develop so quickly that advance warning is impossible.
l Watch the sky for funnel-shaped clouds and pay attention to
tornado danger signs like dark, greenish sky, large hail, and a
loud roar similar to a freight train.
l Stay out of large, flatbuildings with wide-open areas like supermarkets
or malls.
l Stock your home shelter area with a flashlight, a battery-powered
radio, extra batteries, water, and a first-aid kit.
During a tornado WARNING:
l Head for the designated shelter or the central area on the lowest
floor of a nearby building.
l In a high-rise building, go to an interior part of the lowest floor
possible.
l Leave vehicles and mobile homes at once. Seek shelter in a sturdy
building.
l If you are caught outside, lie flatin a ditch and cover your head.
Do not get under bridges or overpasses.
l Never attempt to outrun a tornado.

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