April Showers, Flowers & Thunderstorms?
Idaho Observes Severe Weather Awareness Week
Release Date: March 24, 2000
Release Number: R10-00-31
BOISE, Idaho -- The State of Idaho will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 17 - 21, 2000. It's a special week set aside to focus on the potentially deadly effects of sudden storms and resulting flash floods, and according to Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services director John Cline, the best protection from natural disasters combines effective mitigation actions taken BEFORE disaster strikes, with a heightened awareness of our natural environment and attendant hazards.
"Thunderstorms can develop quickly, and we can't prevent flooding," said Cline. "But we can and must take prudent, pre-emptive actions to mitigate the hurt and reduce loss of life and property when storms do strike. Calendar observances like Severe Weather Awareness Week allow all of us to take a 'time-out' from our day-to-day concerns, to pause and reflect on just how prepared we are," said Cline. "Our response and recovery systems here in Idaho are sophisticated and effective, but they can't stop earthquakes, wildfires, thunderstorms or spring floods. Prudent planning is the best way to reduce loss and speed recovery."
National Weather Service (NWS) warning coordination meteorologist Carl Weinbrecht agrees. "Late spring and summer thunderstorms can rush torrents of flood waters down bare mountain slopes to inundate cities and campgrounds," said Weinbrecht. "The time to start developing plans, stocking supplies and rehearsing family members on immediate actions is BEFORE the alert sounds."
This year's observances will include daily NWS safety messages and a special tone alerted Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Flash Flood Drill over Boise, Payette, McCall and Twin Falls Weather Radio on Thursday, April 20, at 10:00 a.m.
For more information call NWS (Carl Weinbrecht) at (208) 334-9860.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Nov-2003 12:45:47