National Weather Service National Headquarters

• Home
• Site Map
• News
• Organization
• Search for: NWS All NOAA 

000
NOUS41 KOKX 271750
PNSOKX

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
600 AM EDT SAT APRIL 27 2024

...This Is Severe Weather Awareness Week...

Today marks the end of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Here is a quick review of the important points made this week.

On average, severe weather has killed 224 people per year across the
United States. On average, the National Weather Service in Long
Island New York issues 85 severe thunderstorm warnings, 6 tornado
warnings and 38 flash flood warnings each year.

Plan now to keep safe during severe weather.

Before a storm, develop a plan for you and your family at home,
school, work, and when outdoors. Identify a safe place to take
shelter. Conduct drills. Know what action you will take when a
warning is issued. Be familiar with surrounding areas near where you
live and work. The national weather service issues warnings based on
a specific storm`s movement. Know where to tune to receive the
latest weather information.

During severe weather, postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms
are imminent. Move to a sturdy building or car. Stay away from tall
objects such as towers, isolated trees and telephone poles. If
caught outdoors, find a low spot. Make sure your choice is not
susceptible to flooding. If in the woods, take shelter under smaller
trees. If you are boating or swimming, seek shelter on land
immediately.

If a tornado warning is issued, move to a pre-designated place of
safety, preferably a basement or well constructed interior room.
Stay away from windows. Get as low to the ground as possible. Cover
your head from debris. Mobile homes, vehicles, and underneath
highway overpasses are the worst shelter options, offering little
protection from a tornado. If caught outdoors and a tornado
threatens, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head
with your hands. Evacuate your mobile home and move to your
designated place of safety.

Flash flooding can be deadly. Never underestimate the power of
water. Almost half of all flash flood related deaths occur in
automobiles. Two feet of flowing water will cause most cars to
float, smaller cars will float in less water. Flooding hazards are
increased at night when visibility is reduced. The National Weather
Service urges you to respect all barriers that warn of flooded
roads. Turn around, do not drown.

The National Weather Service issues severe weather watches and
warnings. A watch means that severe weather - severe thunderstorms,
tornadoes, or flash flooding - is possible. You should already know
what to do if a warning is issued. A warning means that severe
weather is imminent or occurring. When any severe weather warning is
issued, take immediate action to protect your life.

Taking steps now to prepare for severe weather will help keep you
and your family safe should flooding threaten your neighborhood.

For more information on severe weather awareness, visit our web
page. Today concludes Severe Weather Awareness Week.

$$