Website Helps Determine Potential Threat Of Tornadoes

There's a tool anyone can access that helps determine how dangerous of a threat a potential tornado can be.

Wednesday, May 12th 2010, 4:38 pm

By: News On 6


By Dan Bewley & Scott Thompson, The News On 6 

MAYES COUNTY, OK -- What do city leaders and emergency managers use to determine how dangerous of a threat a potential tornado can be? One tool is something anyone can access.

We've seen the devastation a deadly tornado can cause. We've even watched as a twister bears down on Oklahoma soil.

But there are some rooms, all across the state, where city and county leaders determine how to prepare their communities.

"This is the Tulsa forecast area," John Janzen, Mayes County Emergency Management Director, said.

John Janzen is the Mayes County Emergency Management Director. His secret weapon comes from the National Weather Service. The website helps him and other emergency managers track severe weather.

"Tornado, severe storm, lightning, heavy rain, flash flood, strong winds," he said.

One aspect of the website is percentage given for the chance that a tornado warning will be issued for a particular community.

"The day that the storms hit on Monday we started off on a 24 for Mayes County," Janzen said. "And it went to a 34 before the end of the day."

That may not sound very high but Janzen points out the tornado that leveled much of Picher in 2008 was given close to a 25% chance of forming.

The National Weather Service uses the percentage system to issue a threat level, anything between 11 and 40 is considered elevated. Janzen then uses that information to raise or lower the alert level in Mayes County. On Monday, Mayes County was at the highest level by nightfall.

"We have a lot of volunteer firemen in the county," he said. "If we have concerns for that day they may make sure to make a point that their department is staffed well during those time frames."

Janzen says the system is quick, effective, and can make a big difference in protecting his community.

To see the percentage system, visit the National Weather Service website

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