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How the NEW Zoo prepares for severe weather

Posted at 6:30 PM, Jul 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-23 19:30:16-04

SUAMICO — When Saturday’s storm ripped through the area, people at the NEW Zoo had to take cover, waiting out the storm in buildings. But it's also the animals in danger when severe weather strikes.

Fortunately, staff at the NEW Zoo is trained in what to do to bring animals and people to safety. Carmen Murach says there are different places for visitors to take shelter like the bathrooms, visitors center, restaurant, and other safe buildings.

"If things get bad really quickly, we have in the past, brought people into our giraffe building,” says Murach. “There's an interior hallway there that works well for shelter space."

She also says they train the animals to come inside when called so they can also stay safe.

The National Weather Service says it's important to know where to go during a storm like a basement or other sturdy structure, away from windows, and to make sure you have supplies ready like a first aid kit, flashlight and weather radio.

Murach also says exhibits are built with severe weather in mind. Although tornadoes can rip apart structures, she says that's why they train animals to come indoors. They do have a plan in place in place an animal ever gets loose.