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Severe weather warnings to be more detailed

OMAHA, Neb. -

A new storm-warning system is designed with new vocabulary to grab your attention and keep you more informed.

Weather Service offices in Nebraska and Iowa will start using impact-based warnings this year. The new warnings will distinguish a known threat, such as a tornado spotted on the ground, from a potential threat, like a possible tornado on radar.

“These impact-based warnings are an attempt to make things more specific and hopefully more useful to the public,” said Bill Randby, KETV NewsWatch 7's chief meteorologist.

When Joplin, Mo., was hit by a massive tornado two years ago, residents had a very specific alert from the impact-based warning system. Residents heard messages like tornado observed, damage threat, catastrophic and life-threatening situation.

“It doesn't do people a lot of good to say there's a tornado warning and nothing occur, and then they become desensitized,” Randby said.

When a deadly storm is approaching, the National Weather Service will include words like mass destruction or unsurvivable.

Experts hope the new warnings will grab people’s attention, so they will seek shelter immediately. It is important to have a family safety plan and rehearse the plan in case severe weather hits.

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