We have an interesting situation concerning the severe weather threat late tonight and early tomorrow. This happens to be race weekend at the Talladega Superspeedway, and about 50,000 people are on the site now in campers and a variety of recreational vehicles. That leads to two big problems:
*Reaching those people during the pre-dawn hours in the event that severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings are needed
*Where in the world do these people go in case warnings are needed.
The first issue is being addressed by a number of agencies and NASCAR. Deborah Gaither, Deputy Director, Talladega County EMA, advises that the EMA will sound the three nearest outdoor warning sirens that surround the speedway with the normal test siren tone followed by a public address to advise those camping of the approaching weather should severe storms with damaging winds approach. The EMA also urges campers to secure awnings, trash cans, tents, barbecue grills, etc. Anything that could become airborne should be put away or tied down.
Hopefully come of the campers will have a NOAA Weather Radio with them; they will be able to pick up the transmissions from Mt. Cheaha with no problem. And, campers can also sign up for ABC 33/40 E-Warn so they can get the warnings on their cell phones. Here is the E-Warn sign up page:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/ewarnmain.hrb
The most difficult part of the plan is the course of action campers should take. A good warning won’t do much good if people don’t have a safe place to go. The main threat will not be from tornadoes, but damaging straight line winds. And, winds of 58 miles per hour or higher can do some significant damage to campgrounds. Hopefully NASCAR and EMA officials can work together on a plan to get people to a safe place in the event the weather does get dangerous early tomorrow morning....
*Reaching those people during the pre-dawn hours in the event that severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings are needed
*Where in the world do these people go in case warnings are needed.
The first issue is being addressed by a number of agencies and NASCAR. Deborah Gaither, Deputy Director, Talladega County EMA, advises that the EMA will sound the three nearest outdoor warning sirens that surround the speedway with the normal test siren tone followed by a public address to advise those camping of the approaching weather should severe storms with damaging winds approach. The EMA also urges campers to secure awnings, trash cans, tents, barbecue grills, etc. Anything that could become airborne should be put away or tied down.
Hopefully come of the campers will have a NOAA Weather Radio with them; they will be able to pick up the transmissions from Mt. Cheaha with no problem. And, campers can also sign up for ABC 33/40 E-Warn so they can get the warnings on their cell phones. Here is the E-Warn sign up page:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/ewarnmain.hrb
The most difficult part of the plan is the course of action campers should take. A good warning won’t do much good if people don’t have a safe place to go. The main threat will not be from tornadoes, but damaging straight line winds. And, winds of 58 miles per hour or higher can do some significant damage to campgrounds. Hopefully NASCAR and EMA officials can work together on a plan to get people to a safe place in the event the weather does get dangerous early tomorrow morning....
on April 28, 2005, 11:14 pm
Was at the track today, and the word IS getting out about the impending danger from the approaching storm. Many campers were talking about it. And in striking up conversation with a few of them, found out that most DO carry weather radios with them. But, like you said, where do you find safe shelter for 50-75000 people in a matter of minutes? It cant be done. Pray for this to be a washout.
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