The clouds begin to combine and darken west of Rapid City. The National Weather Service had already issued a Severe thunderstorm watch for that city, and the mayor was already showing concern over this storm. He looks at the SPC consecutive outlook. 30%! Rapid City had never been in a 30% risk for severe weather! Better hope that it's just lightning and rain, and that everyone is safe, especially the kids of Little Suburbs...
In Little Suburbs, the kids were walking out of the cinema after watching Star Wars Episode 8. "That was awesome!" Exclaimed Noah, a leopard who loves the franchise. "You're telling me!" Called Wilson, a playful Shinx. "Well Kero, shall we head back home?" Asked Noah to a cute lion cub. "Sure. I'm beat." Yawned Kero.
At Kero's home the two kittens settled in bed for a nap. Noah's feet gently wiggled as his dream played out, but it didn't bother Kero. He's used to Noah being a bit wiggly in his sleep. The two kitties slept for what felt like hours, and then...
BOBEBOBEBOBEBOBEBOBEBOBE!
The Weather radio sounded its alarm, scaring both kittens awake. "Weather alarm! Let's listen!" Exclaimed Noah.
The weather radio switched to the broadcast..
"The National Weather Service in Rapid City has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for: Lawrence County in Western South Dakota, Custer County in Western South Dakota, Pennington County in Western South Dakota, southern Meade County in Western South Dakota, until 5:20 P.M Mountain Daylight Time. At 4:52 P.M Mountain Daylight Time, doppler radar was tracking strong to severe thunderstorms along a line extending west of Spearfish, moving east-northeast around 30 miles per hour. Hazard: 60 miles per hour wind gusts and quarter size hail. Source: radar indicated. Impact: hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include: Spearfish, Deadwood, Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Keystone, Custer, Rapid City, Rapid Valley, and Rapid City Little Suburbs. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Repeating, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 5:20 P.M Mountain Daylight Time for the following counties, in South Dakota: Custer, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington."
Hearing that a storm was coming meant that Kero would have to cancel the pool party he planned for a while. With a sigh, he picks up the telephone and dials all the houses. The kids talked about the weather alert, the party being canceled, and what to do until the storm is over.
It wasn't 30 minutes later, when the weather radio went off again, and the TV too displayed the Emergency Alert System. "What's it saying now?"
"The National Weather Service in Rapid City has issued a Tornado Warning for: central Pennington County in Western South Dakota, southern Meade County in Western South Dakota, until 6:00 P.M Mountain Daylight Time. At 5:18 P.M Mountain Daylight Time, a confirmed tornado was located near Hill City, moving northeast at 30 miles per hour. Hazard: tornado and golf ball sized hail. Source: law enforcement confirmed tornado. Impact: flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. The tornado will be near: Hill City around 5:20 P.M Mountain Daylight Time. Other locations impacted by this tornado include: Rapid City, Rapid Valley, Ashland Heights, Box Elder, Rapid City Little Suburbs, Black Hawk, and Summerset. Take cover now. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. Take cover now. Repeating, a tornado warning has been issued until 6:00 P.M Mountain Daylight Time for the following counties, in South Dakota: Meade and Pennington."
"That's far away, and isn't 30 mph rather slow?" Asked Noah who wasn't too worried. "Perhaps, but we should be ready in case it gets stronger." Exclaimed Kero. Then the phone rang, and Kero went for it. "Hello?"
"Kero, did you hear?" A female voice came from the earpiece. "Yeah Frostbite. It'll be a while before the tornado reaches us." Kero said calmly. "Well that's one good thing. I'll be in the basement in case it gets faster." The Alolan Vulpix had experience with storms. Her former parents were passionate about weather. One was a meteorologist, the other a storm chaser. Frostbite hung up, but at that moment, a message was relayed.
"The tornado warning for, Meade and Pennington Counties is canceled. The tornado has deformed and the storm has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses a threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning has been canceled."
"Kero, the tornado is gone!" Exclaimed Noah from afar. Kero giggled. "Looks like we're safe!" Noah smiled and looked outside. It was still cloudy, but no rain. Maybe they can have that pool party after all...
