Village resident Bailey Allard’s fascination with the weather began at a young age.
On her sixth birthday she received an Audubon book on weather. Allard began predicting the weather and made plans to be a storm chaser when she grew up.
On a hot, humid, still day that turned colder, Allard told her mother that it felt like there was going to be a tornado. Her instincts were correct when an EF 3 tornado hit the Arthur area.
Educated in atmospheric science at the University of Waterloo, she continually upgrades using online resources provided by CanWarn and Met Ed.
In 2014, her dream of becoming a storm chaser became a reality. Allard joined a group of American friends who stream their chases across North America live under the name Stormview Live.
By live streaming they are able to get advanced warnings out to the National Weather Service and sheriffs departments and, in turn, increase public safety.
“I wanted to do something exciting as I’m an adrenaline junkie. I’m passionate about the weather and have the skills and training to help other people,” Allard said.
Her team uses a myriad of laptops, cell phones and various other technology when tracking storms.
“We do a lot of waiting and repositioning as storms progress, always keeping safety first. Live streaming of weather systems are sold to television networks like ABC and NBC,” Allard explained.
“Weather is so unpredictable and can really test your limits. Each team member has emergency management training and are usually first on the scene after a tornado has touched down.
“Through my work I’m finding that people don’t take tornado warnings seriously and don’t know what to do if a tornado is approaching.”
Because of that, the team has started hosting presentations on tornado safety, raising awareness around the issue in the United States. Recently the group spent one week teaching over 800 boy scouts in Ohio about weather preparedness. Donations of shirts, toys and blankets for storm and disaster relief were accepted from the Boy Scouts of America in the Miami Valley.
The storm chasers were also presented with the Organization of the Year award from the Miami Valley Council while speaking at the Boy Scout camps.
The city of Dayton, Ohio has asked the team to set up a weather preparedness program for children throughout Ohio. Also, they would like Allard’s team to develop a course module and train firefighters and police officers on how to implement the program.
“As we are in the height of severe weather across Ontario, I am looking to expand our area of reach into Ontario and across Canada,” Allard said.
“In southern Ontario the Great Lakes influence our weather patterns making it hard to forecast accurate weather in the area. Conestogo Lake is the direct centre of the Great Lakes and is situated in tornado alley.
“Thirty one years ago we had a series of tornados. This year we had the earliest tornado in Canadian history on March 16,” which touched down in the Clifford area.
Allard instructs individuals in a tornado warning situation to go to the lowest room in the building, putting as many walls as possible between them and the tornado. Bathtubs and closets are secure places.
Keep away from windows, doors containing windows, and mirrors. Cover yourself with a mattress and wear a helmet if available, she suggests.
Outdoors, Allard recommends keeping away from trees and if a building is not accessible, get as low as possible, preferably in a ditch. Cover the head and vital organs as much as possible.
In a vehicle never shelter under an overpass as these structures funnel debris, says Allard. Debris from tornados causes the most damage. Never try to outrun a tornado. Stay put and find the lowest point outside of the vehicle.
Tornados sound more like rushing water than wind. The wind and rain associated with this type of weather system can change direction quickly.
Hail is a good indicator of tornadic activity. A greenish tinge to the sky’s normal blue colour is the sun reflecting off hail particles.
“The most memorable tornado I have seen was in Eads, Colorado on May 9, 2015. In the middle of a field was a multi-vortexed tornado. One powerful tornado with many smaller tornadoes rotating around it. The most perfect scenario,” Allard said.
“I would like to encourage everyone to understand weather systems, appreciate their beauty and at the same time know what to do once a tornado warning or watch has been issued by Environment Canada.”
For more information contact Allard at bailerpie@gmail.com or visit www.stormviewlive.com, Facebook – baileystormchase and Twitter – bailerwx.
