2012 Severe Weather Awareness Week

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross announced that they will again team up to sponsor Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week from January 30 – February 3, 2012. Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for Floridians to learn about the various weather hazards that frequently impact the state and how families and businesses can prepare for these natural events.

During each day of the Week, a different weather event that may affect Florida will be highlighted:

The focus of Monday, January 30 is lightning.
Florida averages 1.4 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes each year, earning it the distinction as the lightning capitol of the United States. Lightning is very dangerous and can strike as far as 10 miles from a storm base. So, while it may not be raining at your location, lightning can still reach you. The key to remaining safe from a lightning strike is to keep your eyes and ears open- watch for darkening skies on the horizon along with distant rumbles of thunder. It is important to remember that it is never safe to be outside during a thunderstorm and if you can hear thunder, then you are close enough to be struck by lightning!

The focus of Tuesday, January 31 is Marine Hazards and Rip Currents.
Most of the time, fair weather and fine seas treat Florida boaters and beach goers to very agreeable conditions. However, weather and water can change rapidly. Dangerous rip currents, waves, lightning, and waterspouts are among the marine hazards facing Florida’s boaters and beach goers. Rip currents are especially dangerous because they can pull unprepared swimmers away from shore and into deeper offshore waters. Remember to check weather conditions before heading out on the water, and to always check the flags before swimming!

The focus of Wednesday, February 1 is Tornadoes and Thunderstorms.
Florida has more thunderstorms than anywhere else in the United States and North America. All thunderstorms are considered dangerous because they contain lightning and can produce damaging winds, heavy rain which may cause flooding, tornadoes and hail. Florida tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes. Tornadoes can occur year-round, although most occur in the summer months during the afternoon. Be prepared for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes by knowing the difference between a watch and a warning, and making a plan in case severe weather occurs.

The National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will conduct the statewide Tornado Drill at 10:10am EST on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

Floridians are asked to consider themselves under a tornado watch during the morning of February 1, 2012. A Tornado Watch means that you should closely monitor the weather and be prepared to go to a safe place in the event of a tornado warning. Once the drill begins you should consider yourself in a Tornado Warning. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or has been picked up on radar in your area. This means that you need to take shelter immediately in a safe sturdy structure. Even if you do not participate in the morning drill, all schools, families and businesses are encouraged to talk about their tornado safety plan that day.

The focus of Thursday, February 2 is Hurricanes and Flooding.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and continues through November 30th.  Although the number of tropical storms and hurricanes typically peaks during August and September, it is important to remember that Florida can be impacted by tropical weather systems any time during the six-month-long season. Hurricanes and tropical storms can bring very dangerous weather to areas near the coast, including strong winds, storm surge and coastal flooding, flooding from heavy rain, and tornadoes. For those away from the immediate coastline, inland flooding and tornadoes are often the most hazardous impacts from these systems.

The focus of Friday, February 3 is Temperature Extremes and Wildfires.
While wildfires can start at any time of the year, Florida sees a peak of activity during the early part of the year – beginning in January and continuing until the onset of more frequent rain during the wet season, usually in early to mid-June. A typical year in Florida will see over 4,600 fires burn nearly 110,000 acres of land. Florida is also home to a wide variety of temperatures that can reach dangerous levels. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Florida was 109 degrees Fahrenheit and the coldest temperature recorded in Florida was minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Severe Weather Awareness Week also includes a poster and video public service announcement contest.

Poster Contest

Fourth and fifth graders in all of Florida’s 67 school districts as well as students who attend private schools or are home-schooled are invited to participate in the statewide poster contest. Students should make a poster that relates to the theme “Florida Severe Weather” and illustrates an example of natural hazards that affect Florida (hurricane, tornado, wildfire, flooding, heat wave, sink hole, etc.)  The top three posters will be chosen as the winners of the Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster Contest. The top winners’ artwork is scheduled to be displayed in the State Emergency Operations Center during the first full week of February 2012. Prizes will include tickets for the winner and their family to Walt Disney World, weather radios, and more. For complete contest rules go to www.FloridaDisaster.org/SWAW.

Annual Video PSA Contest

Florida middle and high school students in grades 6-8 and 9-12, including students who attend private schools or are home-schooled are invited to produce a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) incorporating a safety or preparedness message about one of the following topics: Hurricane Preparedness, Flood Safety or Building a Disaster Supply Kit. The content must include correct protective actions or safety messages and a link to Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week. For complete contest rules and topic information, go to www.FloridaDisaster.org/SWAW.

There will be one individual or group (limit four people per group) winner chosen for both middle school and high school-level videos. The winning videos will be professionally re-produced for broadcast use by the Division of Emergency Management in their statewide public awareness campaign. A production team will come to the winners’ hometown and will spend a full day shooting the winning PSA, with the winners acting as the project director. Winners and their families will also receive tickets to Walt Disney World, weather radios and more.

In addition to the contests and the statewide Tornado Drill, the 2012 Severe Weather Awareness Guide will be distributed across the state during Severe Weather Awareness Week.