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Hazard Outlooks and Watches - Severe Weather

Long before any warnings are issued, NWS offices provide up to a week’s notice of potential severe weather. Likewise, their media partners, public officials, and response agencies, begin preparations long before storms cause damage.

Watches for severe weather are your signal to get set or ready to take safe action. For thunderstorms, the National Weather Service (NWS) typically issues a watch several hours before damaging weather occurs. Our partners in the Watch process also take further preparation steps.

Here are the preparatory actions that Weather Ready Nation takes long before hazards threaten:

You: Be weather ready. Know your risk. Take Action.

  • Develop a plan. Encourage others to develop a plan
  • Assemble a disaster supply kit and pet kit, review safety plans
  • Check your NOAA All Hazards radio for fresh batteries and operation. Then, reset your radio to receive Warnings.
  • Watch the sky, weather radar and other information on TV, radio, social media sources on the internet or other electronic devices
  • Review safety action plans, inform others of a weather threat
  • Pets can sense bad weather. Watch them for unusual behavior

National Weather Service

  • Issues Hazard Outlooks, identifying weather or flood risks out 7-14 days
  • Issues a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch, activating NOAA radio and the Emergency Alert System for counties within the Watch area
  • Increases staffing and alerts Skywarn spotters for potential deployment

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

  • Monitors NWS Outlooks to determine need for coordination
  • Promotes personal emergency preparedness - Make a Plan.
  • Develops preparedness plans in coordination with local officials
  • Monitors NWS Watches and places staff on activation readiness

The American Red Cross “Be Red Cross Ready” Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed

  • Alerts trained disaster volunteers to be prepared for possible response
  • Checks inventory of disaster relief supplies
  • Advises Red Cross Staff that a Watch has been issued

Schools, Local Safety Officials and Responders

  • Monitors NWS Outlooks to determine need for hazard preparations
  • Check staffing and supplies for adequacy
  • Advises staff, heighten readiness plans

The Media

  • Local TV meteorologists begin broadcasting concerns for severe weather threats up to a week in advance
  • Live broadcast of the Weather Watch; crawl text messages on TV
  • Increase meteorologist and reporter staffing
  • Dispatch news crews to active weather areas

If You See Something - Say Something

If you see something

If you see something suspicious, contact our office or local law enforcement. If danger is imminent, call 911.  Our community is safer when we work together.

Summer Severe Weather Preparedness

 18613 Doerhman Rd 1   

On August 24, 2016 shortly before 5:30 PM, an EF3 Tornado swept through Milan and Maumee Townships in Eastern Allen County.  This tornado had sustained winds of over 160 mph, was 500 yards wide and stayed on the ground for over five miles in Allen County before lifting back up and continuing its destructive path into Ohio.  More than twenty homes in Allen County were destroyed or significantly damaged causing nearly $1 Million dollars in personal property loss to Allen County residents.  Awareness, preparedness and immediate action helped to ensure that only minor injuries occurred during this significant event.  This storm tested the mettle of our residents in Eastern Allen County.  Their response showed the strength and resiliency of our Allen County residents. 

Severe weather can happen at any time in Indiana but the Summer months can be a particularly violent time for weather.  High daily temperatures and approaching cold fronts create an unstable atmosphere where conditions change rapidly - creating thunder storms – some capable of causing severe damage and threaten our personal safety.  Take some time today to learn about severe summer weather in Indiana.  Prepare yourself and your family to be Ready:  Whenever.  Wherever.

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