Aim of severe weather week March 21-27—help residents prepare

    March 21-27 marks severe weather awareness week in Nebraska.
    Imperial, Wauneta, Enders and Champion will participate in the statewide tornado drill at 10 a.m. MT Wednesday, March 24, said
County Emergency Manager Duane Dreiling.
    Sirens will sound a tornado warning alert at that time.
    The drill is a reminder that families need to have a plan of action in case of a tornado warning and practice before an actual situation occurs. That includes an emergency meeting place.
    In this area, the National Weather Service in North Platte recorded three tornadoes that were spotted in Perkins County last year, along with one in Dundy County.
    Chase County had a lot of wind last year, Dreiling said, but no confirmed tornadoes.
    Perkins and Custer Counties reported the most tornadoes in a county, each with three. Statewide, a total of 21 tornadoes were reported.
    That was down from the 30-year average in which 51 tornadoes occurred in the state.
    In 2020, June was the most active month with eight tornadoes reported. There were two in May, six in July and five in August.
    Over the past 30 years, tornadoes have occurred in Nebraska as early as March and as late as October. May and June, followed by July, represent the most active months.
    Historically, the most active time of day for tornadoes in the state runs from 2-8 p.m.
    The National Weather Services makes a clear distinction between a watch and a warning, whether it be for tornadoes, thunderstorms or  flooding.
    A watch means that conditions are favorable for a weather event in the coming hours.
    A warning means severe weather in the area is imminent and advises people to seek shelter.
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operates a nationwide weather radio system (NWR) NWR that broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24/7.
    NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the VHF signal. There are broadcast transmitters in North Platte and Trenton that cover this region.
    Chase County uses the RAVE alert system, which alerts designated phones with notices that severe weather is approaching.
    Dreiling said it’s more than a weather alert service. It can also be used for all types of emergencies.
    Go to the county website to sign up: co.chase.ne.us.
County spotters vital
    Spotters are also key when the potential of tornadoes exists. That’s where Chase County’s spotters help out a lot, Dreiling said.
    In addition to himself,  other spotters covering Chase County by observing from specific areas in the county in  threatening weather include Mark Berry in Lamar, Bob Goings and Tanner Bardsley in Wauneta and Kelsey Weiss, Earl Loop, Joe Weiss, Josh Burke and Craig Loeffler, who cover areas around Imperial.
New drone
    A new drone was just purchased this month by emergency management for damage assessment, search and rescue efforts and to assist area fire departments on large fires, Dreiling said.
    The drone can be mounted with a device on top through which the unit’s operator can communicate to those on scene. A spotlight can also be mounted there, as well.
    It’s equipped with thermal imaging capacity, and its remote system will be alerted if there is aircraft in the area, he added. Other pilots in the sky nearby will also be alerted of the drone’s presence.
    Another feature halts the drone’s progress if it is approaching restricted areas, such as government buildings, Dreiling added.
    Dreiling said they are willing to provide assistance with the drone to other area counties in emergencies.
    Funds for the drone’s $4,500 cost came from the county emergency management budget.