NORTH BATTLEFORD - A young man with a passion for chasing storms hopes to spread awareness in Saskatchewan to help people stay safe in severe weather.
Aaron Rutley, who lives in the Cut Knife area, gave a talk at the North Battleford Library on July 16 about severe weather safety.
According to Rutley's YouTube channel Sask. Twister Hunters, in 2020, Rutley's family's farm was hit by an unwarned tornado, so he aims to spread awareness of severe weather throughout Saskatchewan and report storms to Environment Canada so they can issue warnings.
"I'm planning to become a meteorologist, but I kind of just know how to spot storms," he said. "Right now it's just a hobby, which is a very important hobby, part of researching tornadoes."
Rutley has chased storms throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The high school student is also on the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's Youth Preparedness Council and works to raise awareness about severe weather safety.
He said Saskatchewan only has two weather radars, which have large ranges, but storm chasers serve a purpose in providing "ground truth."
During his presentation, Rutley talked about being safe in tornadoes and storms.
The damage his family's farm experienced from the tornado in 2000 wasn't severe, but it did blow over quite a few trees, blew off the back of a quonset, and ripped some shingles off their house.
"I started to do research on how to detect tornadoes better, and how to actually get warnings out," Rutley, said. "That's when I discovered storm chasing."
"I would say if you either see a tornado or you get a tornado warning, take it seriously," he added. "It is a very dangerous situation."
If people see a tornado or know one is coming, they should go to a place of safety. If they are in a building, they should go to the basement and stay there until they know the tornado warning has passed, or go into an interior room, like a bathroom or closet if there is no basement available.
"Assume that a tornado is on the ground and is headed towards you," Rutley, said. "Do not panic. Just stay calm."
He noted that tornadoes can cause downed power lines, so he reminded people to stay clear of them.
Hail is also dangerous and can smash vehicle windows, so it should be taken seriously too.
Rutley advises people to seek shelter in the event of a hail storm.
Flash floods can also be dangerous and can sweep people off their feet, and sweep vehicles away.
"Check your surroundings. Never drive through flood waters," Rutley said. "Seek higher ground."
Lightning can also be precarious, he added.
Rutley said on average, up to 10 people in Canada are killed each year by lightning and up to 150 people are injured.
"Go indoors," he said. "Wait 30 minutes after the storm to come out."
