We were in the playground around 4:40 PM with all the kids giggling and running around. Looking at the sky, seems like it's about to rain and it was getting dark.

All of a sudden, Mrs. Claus told us to bring all the kids inside and not just inside but in the basement.

Another Tornado warning, I guess according to the radio and parents were calling too.

I called home just to make sure that my parents are inside the house and not working on their little garden. It was my Hubby who answered and told me that they were all inside and no worries.

Past 5:00 PM, Mr. Sunshine was showing up again . You can never tell...

To God be the glory, everyone were safe from yesterday and no damage at all. We must have to be always prepare though (spiritually)  because we don't know when a certain  calamity  strikes our way.


Anyway, here's some facts and information about Tornado in Colorado

These information was from our Risk and Management Department of the City of Northglenn after last Sunday's attacked

Yesterday’s severe weather in Colorado including the Denver metro area is a reminder of how important it is for us to be informed and prepared should an event of this nature strike during working hours at either the Broomfield or Northglenn facilities. 

In our buildings as well as any building the first thing you should do is go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building—AWAY FROM GLASS, corners , doors and outside walls.  In Broomfield, interior stairwells or the basement are usually good places to take shelter.  Stay off elevators or you could become trapped should power be lost.  If you are in a building such as Northglenn that has neither of these move away from any windows or glass. Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias or large hallways.   The restrooms near the center of the building, the area under the work surface in your cube or under a desk or other large sturdy object are all areas that provide shelter. 

Remain in your location until the all clear has been given by the Emergency Response Team, Security or a member of the Facilities Department.  They will give you direction for evacuating the area if necessary. Always assist others requiring help. 


According to the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (Http://dola.colorado.gov/dem/public_information/tornado.htm) in the last decade, Colorado averaged around 60 tornados a year. However, this is quite variable from year to year. A record was reached in 1996, with a total of 98 tornados reported. In 1998, 38 tornados were reported. Increasing population, improved communications, and more trained spotters have all resulted in more reported tornados each decade since the 1960s.

In Colorado, the primary threat of tornado is east of the Continental Divide along the Front Range and foothill counties. On the eastern plains tornados occur every year, particularly during the spring and summer.

The severity of a tornado is based on wind speed and the amount of property damage incurred.

Colorado is ranked ninth in the country for number of tornados.
A tornado may be the most violent phenomenon found in nature. Winds can easily exceed 200 mph.
Colorado residents can expect an average of forty tornados every year.
The June 1990 Limon Tornado caused $12 million in damages.
Most tornados occur between May and July. The major threat of tornado is in the afternoon or early evening.
More than 75% of tornados occur between noon and seven p.m. tornados usually move from southwest to northeast.
Severe Weather

Severe weather can occur quickly and at any time with little or no notice.  It could be Thunderstorms, Tornados, Flooding or Winter Weather conditions.  A typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.  Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous!  Of the 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the Unites States, only 10 percent are classified as severe.

Severe weather is reported as either a “Watch” or a “Warning”. 

A “Watch” is described as:  A specific condition is possible in your area and you should remain alert for approaching storms.

A “Warning” is described as:  A specific condition is occurring in your area and you should take specific action to protect yourself and your property. 

According to NOAA's National Weather Service Forecast Office (www.noaa.gov) the following watches and warnings occur when:

Tornado Watch: Means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It is normally issued for 4 to 6 hours, and includes many counties. If you are in or near the tornado watch area, stay informed via NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television. Keep your eye on the sky, and be prepared to take cover at short notice, as tornadoes can occur with little or no warning.

Tornado Warning: Means that a tornado has been sighted, or a developing tornado is reported by trained spotters or indicated on Doppler radar. A warning is typically issued for a small area for less than an hour. If a tornado warning is issued for your area...take cover immediately!

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Means that conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce wind gusts to 58 mph or stronger or hail to 3/4 inch or larger in the watch area. These watches are issued for 4 to 6 hours at a time and for a number of counties. Stay informed, watch the sky, and take cover if a severe thunderstorm approaches you.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Means that a severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar, or by a trained spotter. Take cover if you are near the severe thunderstorm.

What to look for

Weather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornados do occur without warning.  There is no substituted to staying alert to the sky.  Besides the obvious visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for:

Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base—Tornados sometimes have no funnel!
Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift.
Day or night – Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which does not fade in a few seconds like thunder.
At night look for small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level.  This means power lines are being snapped by very strong wind.  Watch for persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning.

Has someone told you to open your windows during a tornado? Or has someone told you that you don't have to worry about tornadoes because the place where you live is protected? These are two of the most common myths about tornadoes. Neither of them are true.

Fact or Fiction?  Here are a few myth busters about Tornados……..

When traveling by car seek shelter under an overpass.
(FALSE: The number one priority in tornado safety right now is to discourage people from seeking shelter under overpasses.  Wind currents are concentrated as they are squeezed under the overpasses and are increased in speed.  This increased speed with flying debris INCREASES the risk of injury or death. 
Mobile homes attract tornadoes.
(FALSE:  Mobile homes are not more likely to be hit, they are just more vulnerable to wind damage).
Cities/hills/rivers deflect or inhibit tornadoes.
(FALSE:  Tornadoes have been observed crossing the Appalachian Mts., 30 significant tornadoes have crossed the Mississippi river and major tornadoes have plowed right through Dallas, Kansas City, Omaha, etc. In August 1999 a tornado went right through downtown Salt Lake City
We should open windows if a tornado is approaching.
(FALSE:  STAY AWAY from all windows. It won't make any difference whether the windows are open or closed IF your home is struck by a tornado).
The southwest corner of the house is the safest location during a tornado.
(FALSE:  Always go to the lowest level and center of house during a warning.  A small interior room like a bathroom is structurally the strongest.  Cover your head!).
The "clash of the seasons" causes tornadoes.
(FALSE:  A temperature contrast is important, but circulation dynamics (shear), upper level support (jet stream) and high moisture content are more important than a temperature contrast).
Most tornadoes are the large size that you see on the evening news.
(FALSE:  Most tornadoes are small 50-100 feet wide, travel < 1 mile, last a few minutes.  The large F-4 and F-5 tornadoes combined represent less than 5% of all tornadoes).
Tornado damage is caused by rapid reduction in pressure (leave windows open as tornado approaches).
(FALSE:  Open windows will NOT equalize the air pressure if a tornado strikes.  Damage is caused by wind gusts and flying debris.  Dr. Ted Fujita showed that an open garage causes MORE damage to a house!)
Tornadic thunderstorms produce an above average amount of lightning and a larger than normal amount of hail compared to non-tornadic thunderstorms.
(TRUE:  Intense updrafts amplify charge separation and electrical build-up as well as increased lifting to freeze layers of supercooled water drops).
The movie "TWISTER" with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton was based on the National Severe Storms Laboratory and University of Oklahoma storm chasers and was therefore, very factual.
(FALSE:  Hollywood produces fantasy.) 
Cars are safer than mobile homes during a tornado (with no other shelter available).
(TRUE..FALSE..WELL, MAYBE.  Both are deadly locations but cars might be marginally safer according to researchers.  However, the best advice is to abandon both for shelter!).

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