With snow falling just one week ago, it may be hard to believe that spring is here. It may be even harder to believe that tornado season is just around the corner.
Creighton participated in a citywide tornado drill Wednesday to help create awareness about severe weather and tornadoes.
Rick McAuliffe, director of Public Safety, helped coordinate the drill and events associated with Severe Weather Awareness Week.
“Last year was the first drill, and we want to make it an annual event,” McAuliffe said. “We always get a lot of new students every year and new faculty and staff. Some of them may not be from the Midwest, and some may get cavalier with tornado warnings.
“The reality of it is that if we had to predict what natural disaster would befall us, especially this time of year, it would have to be a tornado. We want to get everyone used to responding appropriately to the sirens and knowing where the shelters are and doing the right thing,” McAuliffe said.
In addition to severe weather awareness, Public Safety used the drill as an opportunity to test the CU Alert system.
“[We want to] make sure those delivery messages are being delivered,” McAuliffe said. “The CU Alert is not instantaneous. It takes minutes to get out to everyone but is probably the best system we have
right now.”
Nebraska is in “Tornado Alley,” an area of the country known for its high number of tornadoes per year.
Dr. Jay Martinelli, associate professor of Atmospheric Sciences, said Omaha is no stranger to severe weather and if an alert is issued, students should heed the warning.
“Omaha usually sees a few [tornado warnings] per spring,” Martinelli said. “Typically, the state of Nebraska sees about 45 or more tornadoes per year.”
In 1975, an F4 tornado leveled much of the 72nd Street area, including Creighton Prep, and killed three people. In 1913, an F5 tornado destroyed the city and killed over 150 people.
Even though a deadly tornado hasn’t struck the city in decades, tornadoes still hit Omaha. In 2008, two tornadoes hit Millard in southwest Omaha and caused damage to numerous homes and businesses.
McAuliffe hoped the drill and continued efforts by campus officials will educate students on the importance of taking severe weather seriously.
Martinelli said there’s a clear difference between students from the Midwest and students from other parts of the country. He said the university needs to continue educating all students, and this drill is one way to inform campus of the importance of tornado education.
“I noticed my students from the Midwest don’t take it as seriously as those not from here,” he said. “It’s a good idea, and it only works if people take it seriously. Most people don’t even know where they’re supposed to go for a tornado. We need to do more than one 15 minute tornado drill per year.
“Most of the time, if people are in their dorms, they may not even know what’s happening. Getting the word out is more important.”
Arts & Sciences freshman Elizabeth Samson is a California native who has never experienced a severe thunderstorm or tornado. Samson said she didn’t know what to expect from Nebraska weather or what to do if a storm hits.
“I assume we should go to the basement. In our room, there’s a sticker that says what you need to do, but I haven’t been told,” she said. “I don’t know what to expect or how nervous I should be.
“I don’t know how to prepare so I’ll have to wait and see how to react based on how other people react. I think [the drill] is a good idea because I have an idea of what to do when one comes about. I think this is a good time to prepare,” Samson said.
In order for a tornado to form, there must be warm, moist air at the surface and cold air aloft. Because of the increased gulf moisture that spreads throughout the Great Plains and the dry, colder air from the Rocky Mountains, the central plains often experience fluctuation in the atmosphere. The different air masses create instability, meaning severe thunderstorms and tornadoes may occur.
Before a storm strikes, the National Weather Service will issue a severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch for a large area. This means that conditions are favorable for the formation of severe weather.
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm capable of producing large hail of 1 inch or larger, winds greater than 55 miles per hour and tornadoes is imminent for the area. If a severe thunderstorm is approaching, students should go inside and get away from windows. Tornadoes can still occur without a warning in severe thunderstorms.
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted or a storm capable of producing a tornado is approaching. If a tornado warning is issued, the Douglas County civil defense sirens will sound, and those outside should move indoors immediately.
Each building on campus has a specific location designated as a tornado shelter. Creighton’s Public Safety would issue a CU Alert informing students of the warning. McAuliffe said students should familiarize themselves with the nearest shelters in frequently visited areas.
Martinelli and McAuliffe both suggest students purchase a weather radio. Weather radios will immediately notify students of an approaching severe storm or tornado.
“Everybody should have a weather alert radio in their dorm or apartment,” McAuliffe said. “We encourage everybody to have a portable radio and a flashlight to take down into the shelter.”