Dear Media Representative,

According to the Michigan Department of State Police and the National Weather Service, Michigan experienced 11 tornadoes, numerous flood events and thunderstorms that damaged or destroyed property. In April 2002, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan experienced a major flood event resulting in over $7 million in damages. Accordingly, the week of March 16-22, 2003 has been declared as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan.

Severe weather and flooding provided for considerable property damage in Michigan in 2002. Michigan experienced 11 tornadoes, along with numerous windstorms, instances of large hail and flood events that made for an active severe weather season last year. Michigan residents need to be prepared for the dangers of thunderstorms, tornadoes, windstorms, flooding, and other severe events.

June 8, 2003 will mark the 50th anniversary of Michigan's worst natural disaster, in terms of deaths and injuries: the Flint-Beecher Tornado. This was the last tornado to kill over 100 people in a single tornado event anywhere in the United States. On June 8th, 1953, 116 people lost their lives in the Flint-Beecher community, and 844 people suffered injuries. The Flint-Beecher Tornado was just one of seven tornadoes that occurred that horrible evening across the eastern portion of the Lower Peninsula. Those other six tornadoes resulted in an additional 9 deaths, 52 injures, and damage stretching from Alpena to Erie.

The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness has developed an awareness campaign to inform Michigan residents of the importance of being prepared for severe weather. A crucial aspect of this campaign is the distribution of the enclosed information, which is for your use during Severe Weather Awareness Week, as well as in the future should a flood or tornado occur in your area. Your assistance in distributing this information to the public is appreciated. This effort helps Michigan citizens prepare themselves and their families to minimize the loss of life and destruction of property that accompany a disaster.

As a sign of the state's commitment to severe weather safety, in 1998, the legislature endorsed Public Act 45 of 1998, which requires all schools in the state to conduct two tornado drills annually. We are encouraging schools to conduct one of those drills during Severe Weather Awareness Week. This is an excellent opportunity for visual or editorial coverage.

I encourage you to contact any of the Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Committee members or your local representatives from the National Weather Service, Emergency Management or Red Cross offices for more information about severe weather safety in Michigan.

Mark Wesley

MCSWA