Severe Weather Awareness Week April 27-May 3

April 25, 2003

Governor Bill Owens has proclaimed April 27 through May 3 as Severe Weather Awareness week in Colorado. Severe weather communication tests will be conducted on Wednesday, April 30 by the National Weather Service offices that serve Colorado.

All across Colorado, local Emergency Managers/Coordinators, the print and electronic media, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, businesses and citizens of Colorado are encouraged to take part in their own drills to become fully prepared for the upcoming severe weather season. During the test times, or anytime during the week, everyone should go through the motions of going to appropriate shelter as if there was a real weather emergency. This will test the readiness of all in dealing with the dangers of severe weather.

This year, NOAA Weather Radio has arrived in southeast Colorado, with the installation of a transmitter in northern Prowers county. This will allow quicker dissemination of critical warning information to southeast Coloradoans.

Scores of thunderstorms brought potentially deadly lightning, high winds, large hail and flooding rain. Millions of dollars in damage occurred, most from large hail and damaging straight-line winds. All Coloradoans should prepare for severe weather by participating in Severe Weather Awareness Week educational campaigns and individual drills. The National Weather Service in Pueblo has an Internet website. The address is: www.crh.noaa.gov/pub. Detailed weather information for both southern Colorado and the rest of the nation, and much more, is on the website.