It’s that time of year again when we all need to keep an eye on the sky… Severe Weather season in the Ark-La-Tex.  Some of the most deadly and powerful tornadoes in North America history occur in the Spring.  We have some safety tips and pointers for you listed here.

First, do yourself a HUGE favor and stay on top of developing weather by downloading radioPup on your mobile device, and remember to keep it charged up.

Have a plan, and in the event of a severe thunderstorm, you need to put your plan into action.  Stay tuned to the radio, or your mobile device for developing weather information, and keep an eye on the sky.  (Below are some tips from the National Weather Service.)

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE

  • Find a shelter if possible.
  • If boating or fishing, move to shore.
  • If no shelter is available, seek refuge in a low spot. Crouch down and protect your head.

IF YOU ARE IN A BUILDING

  • Move to a sturdy building. Shelters are more safe than mobile homes.
  • Stay away from windows. Do not try to open or close windows.
  • Stay away from outside doors and garages.
  • Move to a basement and get under something sturdy.
  • If you have no basement, move to the lowest level and get in an interior room, like a bathroom or closet.
  • Put as many walls between you and the storm as possible.
  • Stay informed on your mobile device with our free mobile app radioPup.

IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME

  • Do not remain in a mobile home during a tornado.
  • Pay attention to ALL local watches and warnings, and leave your mobile home to seek shelter as quickly as possible before a tornado strikes, preferably in a nearby building with a basement.
  • If no shelter is immediately available, find the lowest-lying area near you and lie down in it, covering your head with your hands.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING

  • Do not try and outrun a tornado.
  • If the tornado is some distance away, drive away from it.
  • If the tornado is relatively close, leave your vehicle for a sturdy building.
  • If no shelter is available, seek refuge in a ditch or culvert. Crouch down and protect your head.

KNOW YOUR WATCH AND WARNING TERMS

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH – Conditions are favorable for the development of sever storms in and around the watch area. These storms could have high winds, heavy rains, lightning and hail.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING – A severe thunderstorm has been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar, and is or will be occurring in the warning area. These typically last 30 minutes to an hour.

TORNADO WATCH – Conditions are right to produce severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes in and around the watch area.

TORNADO WARNING – Spotters have sighted a Tornado, or one has been indicated on radar and is occurring in the warning area.  When a warning has been issued, people in the affected area are encouraged to seek shelter immediately.

These and other tips are available at Weather.com.

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