Severe Weather Awareness Week for West Texas

  • Published
  • By 17th Training Wing Safety
GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas --  Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed Feb. 21 to 27 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Texas

The  Tornado Hit Without Warning

Each year Americans are surprised by tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. Why, you ask. For several of the following reasons:

· It won't happen to us
· We were unable to hear the siren because we were either asleep or indoors
· We didn't know about the warning.

For these reasons, it is vitally important to have more than one way to receive National Weather Service warnings. You can receive NWS warnings from devices such as a cell phone, smart phone, PC, radio, television or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather All Hazards Radio . Many communities now have ways of relaying NWS warnings to your cell phones or telephones. Please contact your local Emergency Management office for more details.

Tornado Drill Encouraged

The NWS in San Angelo encourages all residents and schools across West Central Texas to practice their tornado warning drill on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. The NWS in San Angelo will transmit a Special Message through the Emergency Alert System on Thursday Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. Because of the nature of this message, it may or may not activate certain NOAA Weather Radios.

Helpful Severe Weather Safety Links

Additional information is located at the following websites www.srh.noaa.gov/sjt www.srh.noaa.gov/tadd www.redcross.org http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/weather_aware_severe.htm
Help us prepare our fellow citizens from the hazards associated with severe weather.

Severe Weather Safety

Rules To Keep You Safe

1) Stay informed with NOAA, local Radio, TV, or internet-- Always have more than one way to receive weather information in case you lose power. NOAA All Hazards Radio functions like a smoke detector and warns you anywhere and anytime. This device will automatically alert you of tornadoes, flash floods and severe thunderstorms while you are away from your favorite radio or TV station, cable channel or internet site. You can buy one at most electronic stores.

2) Know the difference between a watch and warning
Watch- means conditions are favorable for severe weather.
Warning- means that severe weather such as a tornado, hail or damaging wind storm is very likely or imminent, and has been detected on radar, has been reported by you ( public), and/or has been identified by NWS trained SKYWARN Storm Spotters.

3) Know the name of your county and those around you- Have a road map nearby your TV remote control or radio receiver.

4) Know what to do ahead of time.

Tornado and High Wind Safety----Know the safe places from tornadoes and high winds, and be sure your family knows, too. An underground shelter or above ground shelter are the safest places. However, the next safest place is an innermost windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor of your home, school, or business away from outside walls and windows. Get down low and cover your head with blankets, pillows, or mattresses.

Abandon Mobile Homes for a safer place from both tornadic and straight line winds, and know where to go when a watch or warning is issued for your area. Recent statistics prove that people in manufactured homes are at most risk from tornadoes. Approximately 8 percent of all U.S. residents lived in mobile homes. From the period 1985-2002, approximately 49 percent of all tornado deaths occurred in mobile homes. (American Meteorological Society)

Flash Flood Safety---Always turn around don't drown when you encounter a flooded low water crossing whether on foot or in a vehicle. Many people drown at night when it is very difficult to see a flooded low water crossing. Flash Flood related deaths are the number one storm related killer.

Lightning Safety--- Watch the clouds and be prepared to take shelter before you hear thunder or see lightning. If you're caught outside in lightning, your home and your car offers a safer refuge. Stay out of the bathtub, stay away from windows and electrical appliances. Turn off all appliances prior to the storm. Don't use the telephone. 
 
For more information call 325-944-9445