Research by Nebraska’s Cory Armstrong is examining the effectiveness of alerts, warnings, and advisories related to extreme weather events. Armstrong, a journalism professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, started studying hurricane alerts and how Gulf Coast residents respond to them in 2016. Her research has since expanded to include alerts for thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and droughts. Armstrong is interested in how individuals receive and respond to these messages, especially with severe weather alerts, as there is an assumption that everyone knows how to interpret and respond to them, which her research has found is not always the case.
In a recent study conducted with support from the National Weather Service in Memphis, Armstrong found that approximately 50% of those surveyed in the mid-south could not accurately define a tornado warning. Only 11% were able to correctly identify the warning as a tornado being sighted or indicated on weather radar, while 35% provided one of these two correct responses. Many respondents confused a warning with a watch, indicating a need for improved messaging in order to reduce risks to the public. Geography and past experiences with severe weather also impacted how individuals prepared for tornado threats, with those living in rural areas and those who had experienced tornadoes being more likely to prepare when severe weather was forecasted.
The study on tornado alerts, published in the Journal of Extreme Events, underscores the importance of individuals and families having general preparation plans in place for severe weather events. Supported by a grant from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Armstrong’s research also looked at the amount of warning time individuals prefer before a tornado strikes. Those with past tornado experiences reported needing less than 15 minutes to prepare, while those without such experiences wanted more lead time, indicating a difference in preparedness levels based on previous exposure to tornado warnings.
Armstrong is now focused on a study of drought alert responses in FEMA’s Region 7, supported by a grant from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health. Drought alerts present unique challenges compared to other severe weather impacts, and Armstrong is eager to contribute to the development of more effective messaging for the public. While the initial analysis has begun, Armstrong is optimistic about the study’s potential and the opportunity to assist weather professionals in improving communication strategies for drought alerts and other severe weather events.