ISSUE: Springtime 'mean season'

OUR VIEW: Beautiful time of year requires readiness for dangerous weather

March has been known for some unusual weather, but conventional wisdom has it that if Old Man Winter doesn't hit hard by mid-month, the reality of springtime is at hand.

You might not consider it as such, but disaster officials look at springtime here as "the mean season." Some of the worst isolated damage from thunderstorms and tornadoes has occurred during March, April and May.

In those months, the atmosphere is in transition from the cold air of the winter and warm air with the arrival of spring. These air masses often times interact resulting in turbulent weather conditions. Each year hundreds of communities and lives are shattered as a result of such weather disasters.

Amid the threat of severe weather, disaster officials often issue special warnings via the state emergency-response system. To ensure readiness, the S.C. Emergency Management Division annually designates Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Sponsored jointly with the National Weather Service, this year's observance began Sunday. The objective is to remind people that severe storms, tornadoes and flash floods are significant hazards in South Carolina and people need to take proper safety precautions.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service are promoting awareness of tone-alert weather radios around the state. The radios activate automatically when the National Weather Service issues a severe weather watch or warning. Through the use of these life-saving devices, the public can gain valuable time to take protective action for life and property before severe weather strikes.

A highlight of the week will be the annual statewide tornado drill. State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex is encouraging schools statewide to participate in the drill. In addition, many nursing homes, hospitals, county and municipal agencies and amateur radio operators also are expected to participate. The drill was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 4. Due to severe weather interference, it has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 6. The drill tests the information-dissemination system for weather warnings, and it gives participants the opportunity to test their safety plans.

No emergency plan is any better than its implementation. That's why, on Thursday, weeks ahead of the "mean season," state emergency personnel will put the system to a test. Citizens are advised to take notice and be informed, both of the dangers and what to do in an emergency.

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