Severe Weather Season Approaching Quickly
Severe weather season is approaching quickly.
The 60s in March is not something to complain about, but when it comes to severe weather, 60s in March could mean severe weather is coming our way.
“Keep your eye on the sky and be aware of those watches and warnings that try to keep you safe,” says Cass County Emergency Manager, Jim Prochniak.
Severe weather season typically runs from June through August.
But emergency response units want to be extra prepared this year and will start public campaigns in the next month.
Because let’s face it, when it comes to severe weather, does everyone take it as seriously as they should?
“Maybe if it’s raining cats and dogs,” says Tristan Fuller of Fargo.
“If it’s just a watch or a warning usually not, ill maybe stay home but that’s about it,” says Theresa Fewless of Fargo.
And that puts Prochniak on edge.
“Even before the funnel does drop down it can happen so quickly that even if you don’t wait you can have tragedy in your hands,” says Prochniak.
The Upper Midwest has seen its fair share of severe weather.
It was the 1957 Fargo tornado that brought about the Fugita scale, which is still used to measure a tornado’s intensity.
When it comes to being prepared, there are three notices to look out for, a watch.
“There’s always your watch which is more of a general statement, hey there’s a chance for bad weather to happen,” says Prochniak.
A warning.
“Warning it’s really happening, we’re going to watch and track where it’s going can it hit right in your backyard we don’t know that yet,” says Prochniak.
“If you hear this tornado siren all you need to do is seek shelter immediately.”
But thankfully, our younger generation is taking things a little more serious.
“Try and grab our helmets so we can hold on to other things like our mom or our dad or our pets if we have one,” says Kennedy Elementary first grader, Theresa Fewless.
Because just like Prochniak says, airing on the side of caution is always your best bet.
