Guest Speaker: Gilbert Sebentse

Gilbert Sebenste, chief meteorologist at NIU, spoke about severe weather in this area, some history, and what NIU does to ensure the safety of their people.

Even though Fairdale was hit with an EF-4 tornado two years ago, he says we are overdue for a tornado locally since the average time between them is 25 to 30 years, and DeKalb hasn't had one for 50 or more years.

Steve Kuhn noted that the Rotary Foundation paid for the installation of a warning siren in Fairdale. Sebenste said that is effective only for people outside their houses, while an NOAA weather alert radio is important to have in your home.

He then explained that "straight-line" winds from 60 to 100 mph are the greatest threats we face here, plus hail storms. The most injuries come from the debris tossed about in storms, not just the wind itself.

Sebentse says that his position is being eliminated due to state budget cuts at NIU and after 19 years on the job he will be leaving in the next year.