EDMOND —
It’s just a matter of time before Edmond experiences the next tornado warning.
They can form anytime of year. In February 2009, a tornado formed near Northwest 178th Street and tracked through Oak Tree, reaching EF2 strength (estimated top winds of 111-135 mph) before dissipating a half mile northeast of Waterloo and Broadway. It blew down trees and damaged structures.
And they can occur day or night.
Steven Root, president and CEO of Edmond’s WeatherBank, said conditions will likely be present for an elevated tornado risk during the coming months. Root said exactly where they occur — in central Oklahoma, east of the state or west of the state — is not known.
When severe weather does strike, you now have a new option for tracking it.
Red Cross regional spokesman Ken Garcia said the organization has launched its official “Tornado App,” putting lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in, visit or have loved ones in tornado-prone areas.
Garcia said the free app — available in English or Spanish — gives iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone and tablet users instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to do before, during and after a tornado.
The app includes a high-pitched siren and “tornado warning!” alert that signals people when a NOAA tornado warning has been issued in their area – even if the app is closed, Garcia said. An “all clear!” alert lets users know when a tornado warning has expired or has been canceled, he said.
Regional Red Cross CEO Janienne Bella said tornadoes can occur during the overnight hours when people are sleeping.
“The audible alerts in this app can save lives — even if users can’t monitor the weather because they are away from radio, TV or in places where weather band radios may not work,” Bella said.
Features of the app include: Location-based NOAA tornado, severe thunderstorm and flood watch and warning alerts; enhanced weather maps; one-touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends that they are out of harm’s way; simple steps and checklists people can use to create an emergency plan and share it with household members; and preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity.
It’s the latest in a series of apps created by the Red Cross, which responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year and helps people respond to emergencies by providing these free apps.
Mobile activity soared due to Superstorm Sandy, according to the Red Cross. More than 400,000 people downloaded the Red Cross Hurricane App; nearly 6 million NOAA weather alerts were sent.
The Red Cross needs the public’s help to continue its work. You can make a donation to the Red Cross by visiting redcross.org, texting REDCROSS to 90999 or calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
Local News
Related Photos
-
GRAPHIC PROVIDED The American Red Cross this week released its new tornado app for smartphones.
Discussion
Red Cross offers new tornado app
- Local News
-
-
Covell/I-35 work on track
The hotel and conference center project on Interstate 35 is very much on track, said John Weeman of Partners In Development told The Edmond Sun on Tuesday. Weeman is in the process of selecting one of three people for a construction partner, he said.
-
2 officers suffer injuries in drug-related pursuit
Two police officers suffered injuries during a call in which suspects fled in a vehicle and possessed meth, police said.
-
City Council approves church remodel
A request by Redeemed Christian Church of God Kingdom Chapel to remodel a facility at 307 E. Danforth for a church was approved recently by the City Council.
“The church wants to rent a 2,302-square-foot space in the office building on the north side of Danforth, east of the convenience store, south of the Timber Ridge Addition,” said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner. “There will be no new construction other than interior remodeling to accommodate the church.
The church does not request changes to the one driveway or sidewalk of the property, Schiermeyer said. No changes will be made to the outside of the two-story brick veneer building. A sprinkler system will not be required. -
Arcadia Lake nears reopening for summer season
Work on reclaiming Arcadia Lake has been ongoing since high water forced its closure earlier this month.
-
Professor: Constitutional heritage can bring sense of belonging to U.S. citizens
Education is fundamental in preparing a citizenry to live under a free constitutional republic, said Kyle Harper, founding director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage at the University of Oklahoma. Harper is also the senior vice provost at OU as well as an associate professor of Classics and Letters.
A sense of identity by belonging to a tradition is an ingredient in being part of a free republic, he said while speaking to the Edmond Republican Women’s Club on Monday. An educated citizen must be aware, alert and intelligent to care about public affairs, he said. -
Red Cross seeks volunteers to aid in Moore storm recovery
Before arriving in Oklahoma last year, Edmond resident Sofia Griffith already had a growing Red Cross volunteer résumé.
-
DA files formal charge in Craigslist sex case
Prosecutors have filed a formal felony charge against an Edmond man arrested on a complaint related to the alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, according to court records.
Friday afternoon, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said a member of the OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the man that morning after a two-month-long investigation into solicitation for sex with minors via Craigslist. -
Oreo stacking contest slated for Crest Foods in Edmond
Crest Foods is calling all stackers, ages 6-11, to visit the Edmond store from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to try their hand at an Oreo stacking event. The store, 2200 W. 15th St., is one of several Crest sites where youth can attempt to stack Oreos. The team that builds the highest stack in 30 seconds qualifies for the finals round the following weekend, said Donna Kamas, public relations manager.
-
State photo-ID databases become troves for police
The faces of more than 120 million people are in searchable photo databases that state officials assembled to prevent driver's-license fraud but that increasingly are used by police to identify suspects, accomplices and even innocent bystanders in a wide range of criminal investigations.
-
Lucas: Farm Bill approval vital for state farmers
The U.S. House will approve a farm bill this year, Rep. Frank Lucas said Saturday.
The bill will be debated on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday and will pass after 30 to 60 amendments are considered. - More Local News Headlines
-
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
