Chances are your workplace has plans in place to get you to safety in the event of a Tornado. But what if your workplace is the wide open spaces of North Dakota? Officials from the National Weather Service office in Bismarck had some answers today for workers at a local wildlife refuge. And, as Jim Olson reports, the tips they gave to those workers could prove to be lifesavers for you and your family if you're caught outside in a storm. (Jim Olson, KX News) Susan Scheel's job is far from a desk - or even a sturdy building. (Susan Scheel, Upper Souris NWR) 98% of the time we're outdoors. (Jim Olson, KX News) Scheel is a biology science aide at Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge and is spending the summer working with students in the Youth Conservation Corps. She says the rapid development of nasty weather is a bit scary. (Susan Scheel, Upper Souris NWR) We are almost always far away to get some shelter. (Jim Olson, KX News) That's why Scheel and the rest of the staff from the refuge were inside today - hearing from officials from the National Weather Service. (Chauncy Schults, National Weather Service) We're kind of getting into the time of the year where we deal with thunderstorms, which present hazards from lightning and hail, strong winds, and hail, and even tornadoes and then of course there's heat. Heat is actually one of the top weather killers in the US in July and August. The heat and humidity can really take a toll, especially on those who are working outside. (Jim Olson, KX News) Chauncy Schultz of the Weather Service told the workers of strategies to keep themselves safe as they work in summer weather. He says one of the big dangers in lightning. (Chauncy Schults, National Weather Service) If you're close enough to hear thunder, you're close enough to be hit by lightning. There are cases where lighting has struck up to ten miles from a parent thunderstorm, even with a clear blue sky. (Susan Scheel, Upper Souris NWR) So far this summer we have had some storms that have brought us inside quickly. (Duane Anderson, Upper Souris NWR) We do have concern for our staff. They're scattered around the refuge on a daily basis, doing different duties and jobs and obviously they're not always near a storm shelter. (Jim Olson, KX News) Duane Anderson of Upper Souris says the information they're getting from the Weather Service will help both workers and visitors to the refuge. (Duane Anderson, Upper Souris NWR) We surely try to get to those areas where people are and encourage them to seek shelter someplace or help them find shelter to keep people safe. (Jim Olson, KX News) Refuge workers say they are especially concerned about people on the waters of Lake Darling. (Duane Anderson, Upper Souris NWR) Fishermen on the lake need to be especially aware of changing weather conditions. Those fronts can move in in a hurry and those fronts can come in and they can be stuck in some pretty severe weather. (Susan Scheel, Upper Souris NWR) We have to be aware of when to come in. (Jim Olson, KX News) And that goes for someone just enjoying the outdoors, or working in it. At Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge, Jim Olson, KX News. Schultz from the Weather Service has a tip for you if you have to take shelter from a tornado get to a safe place right away and call in your report to authorities after the storm is safely past.
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Added: Jun 26, 2008 |
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