ECHO Script
Emergency and Community Health Outreach
ECHO SHOW #8 “Severe Weather Warnings”
Show Script
Dear Translators: In this script, there are a few technical terms having to do with weather.
Two terms that relate particularly to the Midwest are TORNADO and HAIL.
According to the National Weather Service, “A tornado is defined as a violently rotating
column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are
capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more.”
Hail is another word for particles of ice that form during thunderstorms. According to the
National Weather Service, “Strong rising currents of air within a storm, called updrafts, carry
water droplets to a height wherefreezing occurs. Ice particles grow in size, becoming too heavy
to be supported by the updraft, and fall to the ground.”
If you are uncertain about how to translate any other weather words (storm, lightning, etc.),
either contact Larry or visit the website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/ttl.pdf. This
site contains a useful and very detailed brochure about weather conditions on the United States.
ECHO #8: ENGLISH – Original script written by HSEM, Red Cross and NWS (Chanhassen), 01/2005; Page 1 of 5
ECHO Minnesota | 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103 | www.echominnesota.org | 651-789-4337
Leave the sound in, faintly, behind these shots…
=THUNDERSTORM, LIGHTNING
NWS DVS – Section 3 open
=TORNADO
“When Disaster Strikes” (WDS) – 0025 (Carol has this tape
now)
=FLOOD
-1Tornadoes, floods and strong, dangerous
storms occur in every part of Minnesota.
Dangerous weather can be life-threatening,
and survival depends on awareness and
quick action.
“When Disaster Strikes” (WDS) 0050
=WEATHER REPORTER W/ MAPS
NWS DVD – Section 2
=MAN LOOKING OUT WINDOW
RC “Plan to Survive”
=CHOOSE IMAGES FROM
DVD Sec. 1 or 3 – threatening skies
=WOMAN CROSSES KITCHEN TO
LISTEN TO COUNERTOP RADIO
Plan to Survive Tape, 065 (Kris has tape)
=SHOT OF BEDSIDE RADIO
DVS Section 4
CHARACTER GENERATOR:
WATCH: Weather conditions are right for
tornadoes, wind, lightning, rain and hail
WARNING: Severe weather is taking place
where you are.
= Weather guy with map, talking
Plan to Survive 190
-2First, know what kind of weather might
threaten your neighborhood. Your
preparation and response may be different
for each situation.
-3You can sometimes tell that severe weather
is coming in your direction. Some signs of
severe weather are big dark clouds,
extremely hot and humid air, and shifting
winds or complete stillness. The presence
of hail can create a green color in the sky.
-4In addition to watching the weather
outdoors, listen to weather reports on
television and radio, and know the
difference between a severe weather
“watch” and a severe weather “warning.”
[Translators: If no established terms for
WATCH and WARNING exist in your
language, you do not need to “invent” new
terms. Just be sure to keep the English terms
in your translation, transcribing the sounds
as needed for voice talent and audience.
-5
A “watch” means that weather conditions
are right for the development of tornadoes,
high winds, lightning, heavy rain and hail.
A “warning” means that there is severe
weather in your area, and you must take
shelter immediately.
-6-
ECHO #8: ENGLISH – Original script written by HSEM, Red Cross and NWS (Chanhassen), 01/2005; Page 2 of 5
ECHO Minnesota | 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103 | www.echominnesota.org | 651-789-4337
Or better yet use this map …
= IMAGE OF A MINNESOTA MAP
WITH COUNTIES OUTLINED.
Scroll down to find it at:
http://county-map.digital-topomaps.com/minnesota.shtml (Kris really
wants to use this map on this web site)
=CRACKLING LIGHTNING
=TORNADO (use NWS DVD for both)
=FAMILY TOGETHER, TALKING
“When Disaster Strikes,” 1212
= FAMILY HUDDLED in basement room
“Plan to Survive,” 109 at end of sequence
=FAMILY SHELTERING IN
BATHROOM
“Plan to Survive,” 296-329
= MORE WEATHERMAN –
lots of good ones on the NWS DVD
=MAN CALLS KIDS, FAMILY GOES
TO BASEMENT, HANDS GRAB
FLASHLIGHT AND RADIO
Plan to Survive – 075?
-- Need a picture of siren here Carol? – Can
you check the FEMA web or NWS web site
for a still shot?? --
=GUY RUNS FROM CAR TO LIE
DOWN IN DITCH
Plan to Survive…530
You also need to know the name of your
county, because the National Weather
Service names the counties that are
affected by weather “watches” and
“warnings”.
-7Often, severe weather arrives very quickly.
Planning ahead is one part of survival, but
reacting calmly and correctly is important,
too.
-8Before severe weather strikes, designate
one room or area in your home as the “safe
place”. When high wind or tornadoes
threaten, the safest place is in a basement.
If you don’t have a basement, an interior
room on the lowest floor, away from
windows and outside doors, is best.
-9Turn on a television or radio, and find out
what the threat is— and where. Go to the
“safe place” you have chosen in your
home. Take a battery-operated radio, a
flashlight, and extra batteries.
-10Most cities and counties have siren
systems to tell you when threatening
weather approaches. When you hear
warning sirens, go inside a house or
building!
-11If you are outside or in your car and there
is no building nearby to provide shelter,
run to a ditch, or a place where the ground
is low, and lie flat.
ECHO #8: ENGLISH – Original script written by HSEM, Red Cross and NWS (Chanhassen), 01/2005; Page 3 of 5
ECHO Minnesota | 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103 | www.echominnesota.org | 651-789-4337
=FLOOD WATER
Red Cross – the same tape we used for
preparedness show – 379 (Carol has this
tape)
=CARS SURROUNDED BY FLOOD
WATER &
=MORE GREAT FLOOD SCENES
Section 4, NWS DVD
=SEVERAL DIFFERENT
LIGHTENING STRIKES
NWS DVD – Sec. 3
=TORNADO AND WRECKAGE
R C “Preparing & Responding” 386, 396
=STORM AFTERMATH
Old R C Tape – 0594-1616
=TORNADO AFTERMATH – PICKING
UP WRECKAGE
R C “Preparing & Responding”124
CHARACTER GENERATOR:
GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE
RED CROSS, POLICE OR FIRE
DEPARTMENT
-12If a flood occurs, travel to high ground as
fast as possible. If your car is surrounded
by water, get out and walk uphill.
-13Stay away from flood water. It hides many
dangers, and the currents of flowing water
may cause you to fall and drown. Don’t
return to your home until flood water is
gone.
-14Any storm can create lightning that hits the
ground. It can strike without warning,
anywhere, anytime. If you are outside
during a storm, avoid trees, poles, and
other tall structures. Stay near the ground,
sit on your heels, and cover your head.
-15After a tornado, flood or dangerous storm,
buildings may be damaged, and there may
be trees and power lines on the ground.
Stay away from these areas until repairs
have been made.
-16If your community is badly damaged, you
will hear instructions on television and
radio, or in newspapers, about how to get
help.
-17For more information on survival in severe
weather, call the Red Cross, your local
police station, or local fire department.
ECHO #8: ENGLISH – Original script written by HSEM, Red Cross and NWS (Chanhassen), 01/2005; Page 4 of 5
ECHO Minnesota | 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103 | www.echominnesota.org | 651-789-4337
= BROCHURES SHOT ON TAPE
When Disaster Strikes, 1464
=HANDS OPENING BROCHURE
Old red Cross tape 0895
=FAMILY AT TABLE, PLANNING
Old Red Cross tape 0335
-- end on severe weather shot with nat sound -=CHOOSE A TORNADO FROM SEC. 1 of
NWS DVD, LET IT ROLL INTO A
CLOSE-UP AND FREEZE FRAME
-18Your survival may depend on the decisions
you make right now — so decide to be
aware, be prepared, and be ready to
respond when severe weather strikes.
# # # END # # #
ECHO #8: ENGLISH – Original script written by HSEM, Red Cross and NWS (Chanhassen), 01/2005; Page 5 of 5
ECHO Minnesota | 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103 | www.echominnesota.org | 651-789-4337