Severe Weather Awareness Week continues in Iowa, and today’s (Thursday) emphasis is on overlooked aspects of storms: hail and wind. Carroll County Emergency Management Association (EMA) Director Jeff Cullen says these threats come on a spectrum, but when they occur in their most severe forms, they must be taken seriously.
Generally, hail and wind aren’t too much of an issue as long as you have a place to shelter. However, Carroll County Communications Center Director Jason Hoffman says they can wreak havoc on communications equipment and property.
Hail starts to become dangerous once it gets golf ball-sized or larger, while sustained winds of only 45 mph are enough to potentially cause damage. Severe injury or death to wind or hail alone is uncommon, but falling debris associated with these forms of severe weather is where the real danger lies. Cullen reminds Iowans not to forget their pets outside during these events.
The last day of Severe Weather Awareness Week is tomorrow (Friday) and the theme is flooding.
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