As part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week in North Dakota, consider identifying at least one way you can be prepared. “Consider those who depend on you to be prepared,” says Gary Stockert, City of Bismarck Emergency Manager. “That list may include children, family, co-workers, friends, pets, and others who may depend on you during times of emergency or potential emergency situations.”
One way to help be prepared for yourself and those who depend on you is to improve your ability to receive weather alerts. Do you have a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio? Chances are, some of you may never have heard of the NOAA Weather Radio. The NOAA Weather Radio (All Hazards) acts as an alarm clock for severe weather. It alerts you immediately after a warning has been issued. A NOAA Weather Radio helps ensure you receive the alert for severe weather at times when your TV and radio are off, such as when you’re asleep. These radios are available to be purchased at many local retail outlets, electronics stores, or online. Visit our website to learn more details on NOAA Weather Radios, www.bismarck.org/emergencymanagement. There you can learn more about the NOAA Weather Radios as well as find additional information and links to other emergency preparedness sites such as the National Weather Service and FEMA.
Another opportunity to participate in Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week is to attend the local SKYWARN training conducted by the National Weather Service. This weather spotter training (SKYWARN Training) will be hosted at the Bismarck Library, Room A, on April 29, 1:30 PM. Training will last about an hour and 45 minutes. The training is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required.
Topics covered will include:
? Thunderstorm hazards
? History of severe weather in ND
? Safety
? Storm type, strength, and structure
If you’re not able to make it to the training that week, you can take a look at this calendar for other upcoming SKYWARN trainings by visiting www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/?n=skytrain.