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By Bob Goree
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
Tallahassee National Weather Service
Meteorologist Bob Goree takes a few minutes out of his busy day to speak with
a local school newspaper, “The Eagle.”
 Eagle:
How much of a threat are tornadoes and severe weather to our schools in Florida?
Goree: “The risk is significant.
It’s true that we do not have the threat of say, Oklahoma or areas like
northern Mississippi and Alabama. Still, Florida does experience a large number
of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Many Florida tornadoes are weak but still
present a significant threat. They are hard to forecast. On the other hand,
we have had very destructive tornadoes with tragic outcomes. On May 5, 1978
a powerful tornado struck the High Point Elementary School in the Tampa area).
School was in session. Sadly three children died and 60 others were injured.”
Eagle: If there is one general guideline
for a school tornado safety plan, what would that be?
Goree:“There are many parts of a
good plan but, in general, it is critical that each school be proactive and
monitor developing weather threats. Have a member of the office administrative
staff or other appropriate person be designated as the weather coordinator.
That person can provide critical information to the principal when severe weather
threatens.”
Eagle: But why do we need to monitor the
weather? Isn’t that the role of the National Weather Service?
Goree:“You bet! The Weather Service
does a good job at predicting and diagnosing significant severe weather threats
over large areas. That’s when we issue various watches. The watch may
cover most or all of the Florida Peninsula or Panhandle for a period of up to
six hours. As individual storms become severe or possibly tornadic, we issue
warnings. A warning usually covers all or much of a county for an hour or less.”
Eagle: So, then it sounds like all we
need to do is listen for the warning and then take the correct measures -- like
evacuate the portable classrooms, right?
Goree:“I believe a more flexible
plan is required. The operation of a school is a complicated activity. Decisions
must factor in the degree and timing of the weather threat and your own vulnerability.
For example, there may be severe weather approaching but the threat is over
an hour away. You may want to respond before a warning is issued. On the other
hand, there may be a warning issued for your county, but the actual threat might
be a good many miles from your school. Likewise, a warning may be in effect
but the weather has passed your location. Whatever the case, your school’s
decisions to interrupt classes, suspend activities or evacuate vulnerable areas
need to be based on the NWS weather issuances and your best judgment.”
Eagle: What about the Watch? What actions
should we take when a watch is issued?
Goree:“Again, you need to assess
the threat to your particular location. When is the weather expected to approach?
Does the wording in the watch suggest an unusually high threat? Has there been
damage already reported “upstream” from your area? In most cases,
you will need to be taking some actions during the watch but before any warnings
are issued.”
Eagle: Really? Could you give us some
examples?
Goree:“Sure. Imagine one morning
a tornado watch has been issued for your area. Subsequent statements from the
NWS that you have obtained from the NWS Web site, indicate that the severe weather
will approach in the early afternoon. Radar images you access from the Web site
show a large line of seemingly strong thunderstorms approaching from the west
but still 100 miles away. You have an assembly scheduled in the auditorium at
1 pm. As a precaution, your school decides to cancel this activity since auditoriums
are more vulnerable to wind damage. You should always inform your faculty of
the watch. You may have a policy to announce the watch to the entire student
body”.
“By late morning, the situation appears to be worsening.
Warnings have been issued for counties to the west and there are some reports
of damage. Since the school’s portable classrooms are more susceptible
to wind damage and students cannot evacuate quickly to an interior hallway,
the faculty is informed to be prepared to evacuate to the main building if needed.
This way, teachers can tell the students to be prepared to move quickly and
safely.
Eagle: At Eagle High, our Assistant Principal
is the Severe Weather Coordinator. What sources of information could she use
to monitor the threat?
Goree:“First, I would suggest that
anyone named to this position be very interested in the weather. That way, he
or she is more likely to be aware of the threat of severe weather even before
school begins. Your Coordinator will most likely have watched local weather
broadcasts or “The Weather Channel” while getting ready for work.
She should have received any watches or warnings on her NOAA Weather Radio receiver.
She may also have had time to visit the many Weather Service Web pages for detailed
information concerning the severe weather threat.
“When she arrives at school, she should continue
to access various sources of information. A very handy way to monitor the situation
is through the Internet. Your NWS Forecast Office posts current Watches and
Warnings and helpful radar images. Finally, a school may consider stationing
a severe weather spotter in a good position as severe weather approaches. “
Eagle: What is a Severe Weather Spotter?
Goree:“This is a responsible student
or staff member who is knowledgeable about weather and becomes the eyes and
ears of approaching bad weather.”
Eagle: What about transportation during
severe weather? Should we hold the buses during a watch or warning?
Goree:“We realize that transportation
is a tough issue. Again, you must consider the possible severity of the risk
and the timing of the weather hazard and then make a practical decision. It’s
a good idea to inform the parents ahead of time of the school’s policy
relating to inclement weather. If parents know that the school will hold busses
in the case of severe weather, they can be assured their kids are safely harbored
inside and not on the road. This policy should be publicized as much as possible
– newsletters, the school paper, meetings and, maybe, the schools Web
site. The more parents know beforehand, the easier it becomes when children
arrive home late because of bad weather.”
Eagle:“All this sounds pretty labor
intensive. Why can’t the county school administration make all the decisions
during severe weather?”
Goree:“You are right about the amount
of effort that needs to go into this. The exact roles of the county school administration
and the individual school administration is your decision. Certainly both should
have a good plan that is well understood – and practiced.”
Eagle: Practiced?
Goree:“Just as your school participates
in fire drills, we at the weather service strongly advocate having tornado drills.
You could do this at each school individually. You should also take part in
the annual drill each February. This drill allows you to make sure you receive
warnings and respond properly.”
Eagle: Please tell us more about this
drill.
Goree: The statewide tornado drill is
a chance to realistically practice your tornado response. The NWS Storm Prediction
Center will issue a practice tornado watch that Wednesday morning. A short while
later, you will receive a warning from your NWS office. The watches and warnings
will be broadcast on weather radio and you should receive this alert. A short
time later, the watch and warning will be cancelled. We suggest you take part
in this drill since it is a chance to receive actual alerts and respond with
your specific action plan.
Eagle: We have a weather radio. Do you
have any recommendations for its use?”
Goree:“You should make sure your
NOAA Weather Radio receives a good signal and is in a logical place. We do tests
of the alert feature each Wednesday, weather permitting. I strongly advocate
you ensure your radio receives this alert test. Keep a log next to the radio
and log the test each Wednesday. If you do not get it, check your radio’s
reception and call the local NWS forecast office if necessary. We can help in
any way.”
Eagle: We appreciate your time and your
recommendations!
Goree: My pleasure. The NWS feels
very strongly that schools take the initiative to improve their preparedness
for severe weather. Thanks for all your efforts.
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