DPS Offers Fall Severe Weather Safety Tips

As part of Fall Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Week from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, the Department of Public Safety reminds the campus community how to be prepared for severe weather hazards during the fall season and to be aware of potential watches and warnings.Falling leaves and cooler temperatures are a sure sign the fall season is underway. However, this changeof seasons can bring strong to severe thunderstorms along with tornadoes, as the atmosphere canbecome more conducive to more violate weather. Are you prepared?

• Do you know the difference between a watch vs. a warning?
• Do you have at least two ways to receive National Weather Service alerts?
• Do you have know where your safe place or shelter is?
• Have you made an emergency kit?

Here are some unique facts about fall tornadoes to think about as you work toward updating yourpreparedness plan for the upcoming fall severe weather season:

• Tornadoes during the fall months tend to be fast moving. You may have less time to react to awarning if one is issued.
• Every day we head toward the winter solstice, we lose daylight. If a tornado occurs, it will likelyoccur at night which means you will be unable to spot it.
• Most people do not think of the fall season as a time to expect severe weather. But severeweather can occur in fall as we transition seasons from summer to winter.

For more information on preparing yourself for the fall severe weather season, visit the National Weather Service of Paducah website, or the Department of Public Safetys Campus Emergency Preparedness page.