A thunderous-spring warning Published March 9, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- March 20 marks the first day of spring and with it comes unpredictable Midwest weather and thunderstorms that hold no mercy for anything in their paths. This Air Force Global Strike Command base happens to be in a vulnerable spot for such weather. Why worry about thunderstorms? - According to the National Weather Service, lightning causes an average of 55-60 fatalities and 400 injuries each year. It occurs with all thunderstorms and costs more than $1 billion in insured losses. - Tornadoes cause an average of 60-65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries each year. They can be a mile wide and stay on the ground for more than 50 miles with wind speeds in excess of 200 mph. - Straight-line winds can exceed 125 mph and cause destruction equal to a tornado. - Flash floods and floods are the number one cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, accounting for more than 90 fatalities each year. - Hail can be larger than a softball (5 inches in diameter) and causes more than $1 billion in crop and property damage each year. The NWS recommends people check if their location is under a weather watch or warning area by radio, television or the internet. The following are important weather terms from the NWS: Severe Thunderstorm: A thunderstorm that produces a tornado, winds of at least 58 mph, and/or hail at least ¾ inch in diameter. Structural wind damage may indicate that a severe thunderstorm took place. A thunderstorm with winds equal to or greater than 40 mph and/or hail of at least ½ inch is defined as approaching severe. Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Thunderstorms are likely to occur in the local area. Watch the sky and stay tuned for NWS warnings. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm is occurring or likely to occur. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Tornado: A violently rotating column of air with circulation reaching the ground. It nearly always starts as a funnel cloud and may be accompanied by a loud roaring noise. On a local scale, it is the most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena. Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in the local area. Remain alert for approaching storms. Tornado Warning: A tornado is occurring, or likely to occur within minutes, in the specified area. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Flash Flood: A rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event (e.g., intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam). However, the actual time threshold may vary in different parts of the country. Ongoing flooding can intensify to flash flooding in cases where high rainfall results in a rapid surge of rising flood waters. Flash Flood Watch: Issued to indicate current or developing hydrologic conditions that are favorable for flash flooding in and close to the watch area, but the occurrence is neither certain or imminent. Flash Flood Warning: Issued to inform the public, emergency management and other cooperating agencies that flash flooding is in progress, imminent, or highly likely. The 509th Force Support Squadron emergency management plans and operations office recommends that people put together a disaster supply kit to be ready for when severe weather strikes. It should include, at a minimum: - Three-day supply of water - One change of clothing and footwear - One blanket per person - First-aid kit - Emergency tools, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, flashlight and extra batteries - Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members When the sky holds a green tint, trees are bent sideways by the force of wind and hail is falling from the sky, remember these terms and get to a safe area. For more information, call the emergency management plans and operations office at (660) 687-6222.