A Canadian storm chaser following the tornados in the United States Midwest says Canada needs to do more to alert residents of extreme weather, especially after witnessing devastation that could have been even worse, in Joplin, Missouri.
“Had there not been warnings, we could be talking about thousands, or ten’s of thousands that could've been killed,” Greg Johnson said from his hotel room in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
In the end over 100 people were killed, but the alarm system in place in the United States alerted people 20 minutes before the tornado hit. For many people, five minutes warning is enough to find shelter.
“It makes a world of difference,” Johnson said. “The Joplin tornado went right through the heart of the city.”
In addition to loud alarms that sound when there’s a warning, text messages are sent out and the media instantly breaks into local and national programming.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Environment Canada only alerts residents through media releases and weather radio.
“The problem is if you're not paying attention to the media, or you're not paying attention to the internet, you're not going to get those watches or warnings,” Johnson explained.
There are ten interlocking radar sites on the Prairies, including one near Bethune, Sask., which pick up severe weather patterns long before they hit. It gives residents their first alert a storm is brewing.
“We will issue out a watch, usually about two or three hours in advance,” Gregg Walters, Environment Canada’s Warning Preparedness Meteorologist for Saskatchewan said. “When you have a watch for your area, you should actually probably pay closer attention to any sort of weather reports.”
Johnson believes more can be done before this summer, which he says could be a busy one for extreme weather.
“There is forecasting that says ‘You know what? Canada, look out. We've got a busy July coming up’,” Johnson explained.
With the hopes no “Joplins” happen in Saskatchewan.
“Had there not been warnings, we could be talking about thousands, or ten’s of thousands that could've been killed,” Greg Johnson said from his hotel room in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
In the end over 100 people were killed, but the alarm system in place in the United States alerted people 20 minutes before the tornado hit. For many people, five minutes warning is enough to find shelter.
“It makes a world of difference,” Johnson said. “The Joplin tornado went right through the heart of the city.”
In addition to loud alarms that sound when there’s a warning, text messages are sent out and the media instantly breaks into local and national programming.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Environment Canada only alerts residents through media releases and weather radio.
“The problem is if you're not paying attention to the media, or you're not paying attention to the internet, you're not going to get those watches or warnings,” Johnson explained.
There are ten interlocking radar sites on the Prairies, including one near Bethune, Sask., which pick up severe weather patterns long before they hit. It gives residents their first alert a storm is brewing.
“We will issue out a watch, usually about two or three hours in advance,” Gregg Walters, Environment Canada’s Warning Preparedness Meteorologist for Saskatchewan said. “When you have a watch for your area, you should actually probably pay closer attention to any sort of weather reports.”
Johnson believes more can be done before this summer, which he says could be a busy one for extreme weather.
“There is forecasting that says ‘You know what? Canada, look out. We've got a busy July coming up’,” Johnson explained.
With the hopes no “Joplins” happen in Saskatchewan.
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