Understand the Many Kinds of Weather Alerts | SERVPRO of South Atlanta

8/3/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect any damage to your home from a recent storm, call SERVPRO of South Atlanta.

There are 42 distinct kinds of weather alerts, all organized into seven different categories. When a severe storm is about to roll through, though, this could be a lot of information to take in!

Understanding what these weather alerts might mean for our community can help you best prepare for any weather situation. You can also secure your property prior to severe weather to minimize the risk of damage.

Knowing all the different weather scenarios can be helpful, but understanding what type of weather might impact Atlanta is even more important.

How Alerts Are Issued

So, since weather forecasts are simply projections, how is the magnitude, position and duration of a storm monitored? How are these weather alerts sent out to begin with? There are several factors that impact the issuing of these alerts.

The National Weather Service is in charge of weather forecasting and sends out any necessary warnings as conditions develop. To make sure these alerts are specific and detailed, there are six regional offices and hundreds of local offices located around the nation that issue these warnings. You’ll find Atlanta’s alerts coming from the Southern Region headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, along with offices located nearby.

Meteorologists and other personnel with the NWS use a wide range of data to create forecasts, including satellite radar, weather balloons, seismic activity meters and even ocean buoys. While the kind of data used varies depending on the severity of the weather scenario, the main purpose is to make as precise of a forecast as possible.

The Most Important Alerts to Understand

When interpreting these weather alerts, understanding the difference between a “watch” and a “warning” is essential. This is language that is used in most weather warnings, including those for thunderstorms, winter storms and strong winds.

A watch indicates a storm is being watched and could become dangerous, so you should begin preparing for the worst-case scenario. A warning is given in a smaller area, like a county or city, whereas a watch is issued in a bigger area.

A warning indicates that a dangerous storm is expected in your area and you should prepare yourself immediately for a disaster.

Understanding the many types of weather our community encounters regularly can help you know what to do when these weather alerts are issued during severe weather. Here in Atlanta, we experience a wide plethora of weather conditions during the course of a year, including wintry precipitation at times, thunderstorms, heavy rain, intense heat and even tornadoes.

Protecting Your Home During a Storm

Being aware of the many kinds of weather alerts is the best way to prepare you and your home for all weather emergencies, but there are a few other methods to protect your home to reduce the risk of damage.

Clear your gutters and fasten any outdoor items to protect your home from severe weather threats such as flooding or strong winds. Find a safe shelter that’s stocked with supplies and make an emergency evacuation plan in case you and your family need to flee.

If your home is impacted by severe weather, give SERVPRO of South Atlanta a call! We are available 24⁄7 and can be on the scene promptly to repair your home and return it to its pre-storm condition.

Being aware of the weather our community faces regularly can help you stay safe during severe weather. Understand the many different alerts that could be issued so you and your family can weather any storm.

Experienced storm damage to your home or property? Contact us today for a quick response!