HomeMy WebLinkAboutBroadcast Procedures for Tornado Emergencies 1981 . • 40 Tornado EiTiergericy
Effective Procedures for all broadcast stations
SK DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • National Weather Service
During A Tornado Emergency
KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION ON THE
NOAA WEATHER RADIO, NOAA WEATHER WIRE SERVICE, OR THE
PRESS WIRE SERVICES. REMEMBER TO LISTEN FOR /LOOK FOR
THE SPECIAL SIGNALS ON THESE UNITS THAT INDICATE A WATCH
OR A WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED.
IF YOU RECEIVE A TORNADO WATCH FOR YOUR
BROADCAST COVERAGE AREA:
1. Broadcast it as quickly as possible.
2. Read the entire message exactly as received. Editing, however slight, may
significantly alter the meaning.
3. Follow the WATCH with a taped or live broadcast giving the definition of the WATCH
and tornado safety rules included with these guidelines. Repeat this information
periodically during the WATCH.
4. TV stations —use both audio and video presentations. Inform those with impaired
hearing by use of weather maps, slides, and crawls.
IF YOU RECEIVE A TORNADO WARNING FOR YOUR
BROADCAST COVERAGE AREA:
1. CPCS -1 station (or backup): Activate the EBS signal and broadcast the WARNING to
other EBS stations.
2. Interrupt programs IMMEDIATELY. Use both audio and video on TV.
3. Repeat the WARNING frequently.
4. Update frequently, broadcasting only confirmed reports of tornado sightings. Identify
the source of the report; also relay reports from unofficial sources such as private
individuals immediately to safety officials or to a nearby National Weather Service
office for authentication.
5. Keep phone lines clear for emergency calls. (FCC regulations permit point -to -point
transmission of emergency rescue message, when requested by responsible public
officials.)
6. More than one tornado may occur. Do not relax your emergency status until the
warning has ended or the storm threat has passed.
7. The emergency may continue beyond your station's daytime signal authorization.
Contact station management to determine if extended broadcast operation is
warranted.
(NOTE: Some television stations place a small symbol or letter in the corner of the
1 screen during a tornado WATCH or WARNING situation in their viewing area.)
EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE
NUMBERS: National Weather Service Law Enforcement Offices Press Community Warning Center
(Civil Defense)
NOAA /PA 78021
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Effective Procedures for all broadcast stations
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • National Weather Service
In Preparing for Tornadoes, Remember...
Your station is crucially important in disseminating watches, warnings and other
severe weather information to all communities in your prime listening area. All
Weather Service Offices and public safety officials in your coverage area can
contribute valuable assistance in designing a plan which will effectively meet our
mutual needs.
You can obtain weather information from a variety of sources including NOAA
Weather Radio (NWR), NOAA Weather Wire Service, national press wire services, and
the CPCS -1 (or backup) in your EBS operational area. You can rebroadcast directly
from the NWR transmissions with minimal restrictions (FCC news release 99084,
4/3/78). If you have the NOAA Weather Wire Service, we recommend that you include
the weather emergency alarm feature with your installation. When installed in your
control room, the alarm can command instant attention.
Public preparedness has demonstrated its worth many times. You can help by
educating your audience so they can respond intelligently to a WATCH or WARNING.
TV stations will find the NOAA films "TORNADO" and "TORNADO: A SPOTTERS
GUIDE" valuable aids in doing this (both are just under 15 minutes; 16mm color).
These can be videotaped for repeat programming for use prior to and during the
tornado season.
Two 20- second film spots, explaining the WATCH and the WARNING also are available.
Two tornado safety announcements, 20- second and 30- second, are available in both
English and Spanish for use by radio stations. If you do not have these free educational
aids, you may order them from: Director, Office of Public Affairs, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Rockville MD 20852.
The safety of your audience may depend on their understanding of the exact area
where tornadoes are possible. Local National Weather Service Offices usually issue a
statement for each WATCH to clearly outline the threatened area. The use of a good
map of your coverage area showing county lines and the larger towns will help
your viewers identify the danger zones. Radio stations should relate the WATCH area
to well -known place names.
During weather emergencies such as tornado watch and warning conditions, Federal
Communications Commission regulations permit daytime and specified hours broadcast
stations to operate beyond their usual sign -off times. For more information, see section
73.98 of the Commission's rules, under the heading "Operations During Emergency."
NOAA /PA 78021
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Effective Procedures for all broadcast stations
S KYWARN U.S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • National Weather Service
Tornado Safety Information to be Broadcast
A is issued by the Weather Service when conditions are favorable for tornado formation.
Tornado Continue normal activities during the WATCH, but be aware that there is a possibility of
Watch ... tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Keep listening to your radio and television and
watch and listen for tornadoes. Take shelter if you see or hear a tornado,or threatening
conditions approach.
A means a tornado has been reported or detected by radar. The WARNING will tell you
Tornado the last known location of the tornado, and, if possible, its speed and direction of
Warning ... movement. If you're close to the tornado, take cover immediately. Those farther away
can take cover when a tornado or threatening conditions approach. Tornadoes are not
always reported or indicated by radar. Be prepared to take cover whenever you see or
hear a tornado.
Tornado Safety Rules
IF YOU SEE OR HEAR A TORNADO, TAKE THE
FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:
Seek inside shelter immediately. Protect your head and eyes, lie flat,
and make as small a target as possible. If you have a portable radio,
take it with you.
tide walls. Go to the basem If you h ave no
get away f rom windows, doors, and outside o
IN HOMES 9 Y � Y
basement, go to a first floor bathroom, closet, or room at the center of the house.
If possible get under heavy furniture or cover your head with blankets or pillows. If you
have time, open a window.
IN SCHOOLS get to the lowest floor or basement. Go to interior small rooms or hallways. Stay away
from windows and large areas such as auditoriums and gymnasiums.
IN PUBLIC go immediately to a designated shelter area, or to an interior hallway or small room on
BUILDINGS the lowest floor, stay away from windows. DO NOT GO TO YOUR PARKED CAR!
IN OPEN move away from the approaching tornado at right angles, if possible. If there is no time
COUNTRY to move or find suitable shelter, leave your car and lie flat in a ditch or depression. Avoid
large trees, metal poles and other possible electrical conductors.
MOBILE should be abandoned immediately. If there is no reinforced building or underground
HOMES shelter nearby, take cover in a ditch or depression.
Do not leave your shelter until the storm threat is past.
Further weather information will be broadcast over this station as soon as it is received.
NOAA /PA 78021
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