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News | April 12, 2021

DLA Installation Management Susquehanna’s Prepareathon topic #2: Severe Weather – Thunderstorms and Tornadoes 

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna Security & Emergency Services team initiated a preparedness program for the month of April. Deemed “April Prepareathon,” the Emergency Management team will provide a new topic each week this month to assist employees with preparing for disasters and other emergencies. 

This week’s topic covers severe weather, notably, thunderstorms and tornadoes.   

“Prepareathon was developed to motivate everyone to act and to prepare for disasters that may affect their communities,” Installation Emergency Manager Rick Zucchero said, in an all-hands email message sent out to installation employees.  

Zucchero shared the following information:

  • Severe thunderstorms can produce dangerous wind and/or large hail which can result in property damage, power outages, injuries and even death.

- A HIGH WIND WATCH is issued when sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (mph) or higher for one hour or more OR wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration are POSSIBLE
- A HIGH WIND WARNING is issued when winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more OR wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration are EXPECTED

  • If there is a HIGH WIND WARNING take shelter at the nearest Shelter-In-Place location. If you are not at work, seek shelter in a sturdy structure.  
  • Tornadoes can produce winds that can exceed 200 mph! Flying debris is very dangerous and is most often the cause of injuries or death.

- A tornado WATCH indicates that conditions are ideal, and a tornado is possible 
- A tornado WARNING indicates that a tornado is imminent and to take shelter 

  • If a tornado WARNING is issued, seek shelter in the nearest SIP location. If not at work, seek shelter in a basement or interior room away from windows on the lowest floor and cover your head.
  • Every tornado, despite the size, should be seen as life-threatening.

More information about severe weather planning can be found at www.ready.gov.