Severe Weather Awareness Week Information

Tornadoes, damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail, and flash floods can occur at any time of the year. However, late winter and spring usually bring the greatest chance of these severe weather events occurring in Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

The week beginning on February 24th has been designated as Severe Weather Awareness Week in both Louisiana and Mississippi. The goal of the awareness week is to call attention to the threats posed by these weather hazards and to review severe weather safety rules in an attempt to reduce the loss of life and injury. Post-storm interviews with survivors of severe weather events prove that preventative safety measures greatly enhance the chance of survival.

Now is the time to develop a severe weather safety plan. A successful plan should include:

• Knowledge of terminology such as watches and warnings
• Knowledge of safety rules to follow when severe weather strikes
• A reliable method of receiving emergency information
• Review and testing of the plan.

Emergency managers, schools, government agencies, private businesses, and local citizens are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans and conduct drills as appropriate. On Wednesday morning, February 27th, at approximately 9:15 AM, the National Weather Service offices serving Louisiana and Mississippi will issue a Tornado Test Warning on the NOAA Weather Radios. This will allow groups and individuals to test their NOAA weather radios and their severe weather safety plans. With respect to the EAS system, the Tornado Test Warning will be issued under the normal Routine Weekly Test code.

NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio is a vital communication link in your severe weather safety plan. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts continuous weather information. When severe weather watches and warnings are issued, most NOAA Weather Radios are automatically alerted and turned on so that you are alerted about a potential severe weather situation. Some receivers can be programmed specifically for the parish or county where you live. A weather radio is especially helpful in our area as much of the severe weather in the southern states occurs at night when most people are sleeping. If severe weather is expected overnight, NOAA Weather Radios can be set in the "stand-by" mode before going to bed. When a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch or Warning is issued, the weather radio will automatically alert and broadcast the warning. Six transmitters serve southeast Louisiana and southwest and coastal Mississippi. Click here for additional information on NOAA Weather Radio.

NWS Weather Radio Transmitter Sites

Click map for more information

Year 2007 - Severe Weather Highlights in Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

In southeast Louisiana and southwest and coastal Mississippi, 11 tornadoes occurred during 2007. The vast majority of these tornadoes were weak and short lived and only produced minor to moderate property damage. The most damaging severe weather event in the region occurred in the early morning hours of February 13, 2007, when several strong tornadoes touched down in metro New Orleans, as well weak short lived tornadoes in Pearl River County and Jackson County in south Mississippi. Two tornado segments were noted in the metro New Orleans area, one extending from near Westwego in Jefferson Parish into the Uptown and Mid City areas of New Orleans. This tornado path was approximately 8 miles in length, an unusually long tornado path for coastal southeast Louisiana. Another tornado path was observed in the Gentilly-Pontchartrain Park section of New Orleans, creating a damage path of over one mile. Thirty-five, mostly minor, injuries were reported. Unfortunately, there was one tornado fatality, when an elderly lady died when her trailer was struck by the tornado. Click here for further information on the February 13th tornado in New Orleans.

Damaging straight-line thunderstorm wind gusts and lightning also caused several injuries and one fatality in the area in 2007. On June 13, 2007, thunderstorm downburst winds blew down a pine tree in Covington. The pine tree fell onto a car in a funeral motorcade, killing one of the occupants and seriously injuring a second occupant. Lightning caused several injuries in the past year, including two fisherman who were injured by a lightning strike while fishing south of Houma.

While southwest and coastal Mississippi had several episodes of severe weather during the past year, including tornadoes, no injuries or fatalities were reported with the severe weather.

For additional information on Severe Weather Awareness Week, contact the National Weather Service in Slidell, Louisiana, at 985-649-0357 or 504-522-7330.

NWS Local Forecast Office Areas of Responsibility

New Orleans/Baton Rouge http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix 504-522-7330 985-649-0357 Lake Charles http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch 377-477-5285 Shreveport http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv 318-631-3669 Jackson http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan 601-936-2189 Mobile http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mob 251-633-6443

Severe Weather Criteria

National Weather Service considers the following criteria as severe weather phenomenon:

• Hail 3/4 inches in diameter or larger (penny-sized or greater)
• Measured wind gusts greater than 58 MPH (50 knots)
• Observed wind damage, such as fallen trees, property damage, etc.
• Tornado - a funnel cloud that contacts the ground
• Flash flooding or flooding that causes death, injuries, or property damage

Safety, Watch, and Warning

Home Safety Tip
	Move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
School Severe Weather Safety Tip
	Practice a severe weather action plan that includes a means of receiving severe weather watches and warnings, and safety procedures to follow when warnings are issued or when severe weather develops. Seek shelter in an interior hallway on the lowest floor.
Other Structures Safety Tips
	If you live in a mobile home, move to a substantial shelter if severe weather threatens. The thin walls are vulnerable to wind blown debris, and they can be easily overturned by strong wind gusts. In large buildings such as office buildings, hospitals, or shopping centers, move rapidly to a designated shelter. Do not try to escape in your car.
Outdoor Safety Tips
	Move inside a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds or under isolated trees. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
Flash Flood Safety Tips
	Avoid walking, swimming, or driving in flood waters. If you live in a flood prone area, move to higher ground.
Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Watches
	Atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes during the next several hours. Stay alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and be ready to take action if warnings are issued.
Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
	A tornado or severe thunderstorm has been reported or indicated by radar. Seek appropriate safe shelter if you are in the path of the storm.