NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP -- Although the odds of us seeing something like an EF4-rated tornado in the U.P. are low, the National Weather Service doesn't want you to let your guard down.
During the summer months, severe weather becomes more active. This increases the risk for thunderstorm-related threats like lightning, damaging hail and wind, and even tornadoes.
The U.P. is no stranger to tornadoes; we average about one a year. And we saw four last year.
"The most significant ones were ones that moved through Ontonagon in August," said Matt Zika, N.W.S. Meteorologist. And then where was one on the same day in the afternoon in Wisconsin. It actually killed an individual in Wausaukee, WI, and that was the first tornado fatality that we've had in northern Wisconsin and the U.P. in the last 25 years."
The National Weather Service will use its website all week long to highlight the importance of topics like lightning safety and flood safety. They offer tips to help you stay out of harm's way.
And they say all it takes is common sense to easily prevent getting struck by lightning or stuck on a flooded road.
"We just want people to take this week to think about what they're going to do when we get to the summertime and weather warnings are issued for the area. Make sure they know where they're going to go: inside the house, away from windows, and just really applying simple common sense," Zika said.
Weather radios are the fastest and most reliable way to get updates on severe weather warnings in your area.
For information on Severe Weather Awareness Week, visit their website: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/?n=svraware
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