Local News
New categories added to the National Weather Service emergency alerts
By 
Editor
Fargo, North Dakota – “Destructive” and Considerable” damage threat categories have been added to the National Weather Service (NWS) emergency alerts and will begin August 2.
The new destructive thunderstorm category informs the public that immediate action is required because a life-threatening event is happening and may result in significant property damage.
They stated: “The National Weather Service will better convey the severity and potential impacts from thunderstorm winds and hail by adding a “damage threat” tag to Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, similar to our Tornado and Flash Flood Warning.”
According to the NWS, only 10% of all severe thunderstorms in the United States reach the destructive category each year.
