Story by John Nolte, Volunteer/Public Affairs Storytelling, Mile High Chapter, CO – Monday, April 16, 2018, 4 P.M.
Springtime brings warmer temperatures, green foliage, beautiful flowers and the threat of severe weather to Colorado and Wyoming.
Last year’s hailstorm in the Denver Metro area on May 8th 2017 was the most expensive hailstorm in Colorado’s history according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association. The total cost was estimated at $1.4 billion in insured losses. Fortunately, the storm did not produce any casualties or loss to human health.
A lightning strike over The Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO
With the threat of hailstorms, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, wildfires and the possibility of tornadoes, the Colorado and Wyoming region is at risk of a variety of severe weather. Spring thunderstorms bring large hail, high winds and the possibility of tornadoes. These storms also cause a large number of lightning strikes during the spring and summer months. According to the National Weather Service, Colorado had the third largest number of fatal lightning strikes with 18 deaths between 2004 and 2014. While not as common, Colorado receives an average of 60 tornado reports each year with Wyoming averaging about twelve. In Colorado, most of these storms were reported in Weld and Adams counties.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed the week of April 15th through the 21st as Severe Weather Awareness Week. This proclamation allows agencies, such as The American Red Cross, to communicate tips for preparedness and concentrate safety education within the week. Red Cross volunteers respond to a variety of natural disasters throughout the region and across the country including those caused by severe weather. One of the most important principles of these deployments is that the majority of people that survive these disasters practice preparedness. “As an individual, the most important thing we can do is prepare to survive the first 24 hours without power, either at home or in our cars if trapped away from home. Then have a plan to recover,” says Robert Rose, Red Cross Volunteer and Disaster Action Team Captain of the Southeastern Colorado Chapter of the Red Cross.
The Red Cross offers El Dorado Park, Colorado flood victims help and hope.
It is important and fairly inexpensive to build an emergency kit for yourself and your family in order to prepare for severe weather. Emergency kits should include clean water, at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation, according to ready.gov. Kits should also have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, battery-powered or hand crank radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, sanitation supplies and a cell phone with a backup battery and charger. “Preparation does not require a great effort or big money,” added Rose.
With the advent of modern technology, severe weather can be predicted earlier and more accurately allowing families and individuals to be better prepared when facing a threat. Avoiding a weather event is the best advice, however what should you do when you find yourself out in a storm? Recognizing the type of storm and the potential for severe conditions is important. If you are in an area that is prone to tornadoes, make sure you have a plan for when one is approaching. Identify the safest rooms in your home, work or school. Most facilities have tornado shelters in interior spaces away from windows and doors; make sure you know where those locations are.
Have a radio available in order to keep updated on the local weather situation. When a storm approaches, look for the signs of a tornado, dark, sometimes greenish skies, large hail, possible rotation and a loud roar many witnesses describe as the sound of an approaching train. Severe thunderstorms can also produce a large amount of lightning strikes as well as flash flooding. If you find yourself faced with the possibility of being struck by lightning in a thunderstorm, seek cover immediately, away from open fields, hilltops or open water. Avoid tall trees or other structures that could be considered lightning rods or be made from metal. If you are driving, stay in the vehicle, turn on the emergency flashers and avoid any surface that could conduct electricity. Fifty percent of all lightning strikes occur after the storm has passed, remember that you are not out of danger even if it is no longer raining.
Severe weather can result in rising floodwaters. According to the National Weather Service, just six inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. If you are driving do not try to cross over moving water, especially if you do not know how deep it might be. In an area that is prone to flooding, move to higher ground. Remember the NWS slogan, “Turn around don’t drown!”
High winds, lightning strikes and dry conditions can also cause wildfires. While not necessarily considered severe weather, these weather conditions tend to lead to wildfires during the warmer months in Colorado and Wyoming. Preparations for wildfires follow the same procedures as severe weather, know the signs, have a kit, and travel to a safe location.
You can find information and purchase preparedness kits for all types of natural disasters at Redcross.org/prepare. Remember, you and your family can survive these weather events with a little bit of preparation!