II

Public Severe Weather Outlook mentioning tornado potential

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This is when those in the vicinity of the potential storm are informed explicitly for the first time.

 

Category two is the beeping moving script at the bottom of the television screen, its commotion capturing all attention. At this warning, some will consider the contents of their fridge, and whether they have extra batteries for their flashlight. Possibility is enough to plant the seed of caution.

 

The formation of a funnel cloud prompts forewarning the public, though no danger is confirmed. In order to cause concern, whirling winds have to be strong enough and they have to touch the ground. Without these two factors, the storm is not classified as a tornado. It is merely trouble evaded. We are all surrounded by storms that do not touch the ground.

 

This is when smiles are no longer maintained, when bickering is no longer contained behind closed doors. It is when old habits of watching TV together are carried out glassy-eyed. It is when a phone call made by a strange man is made stranger through the efforts taken to hide its occurrence.