This is severe weather awareness week in Texas... Oklahoma...Louisiana...and Arkansas... 

Today's topic is tornadoes and tornado safety...More about this can be learned in the SKYWARN Training Session here in San Augustine on April 7th.

Tornadoes are one of natures most violent storms. In an average year... about 1000 tornadoes are reported across the United States...resulting in 85 deaths and over 1500 injuries. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction... with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can
exceed a mile in width and 50 miles in length.

Tornadoes can occur anywhere... and at anytime of the year. However... peak tornado season is during the months
of March through May... with nearly 70 percent of all tornadoes occurring during this time period. April is the single most active tornado producing month in our region. Incidentally... Texas... Oklahoma... Louisiana... and Arkansas rank among the top states in the nation in the number of reported tornadoes.

Tornadoes can travel at over 50 mph... and can destroy a building in a few seconds. Therefore... it is important to know the safety rules for surviving a tornado.

When inside homes and small buildings... you should go to the basement or the lowest level of the building. If no basement is available... go to a closet... bathroom... or an interior hallway away from any windows. Protect yourself from flying debris with thick blankets... pillows... cushions... sleeping bags or mattresses.

When at schools... hospitals... factories or shopping malls... go to the designated shelter areas... usually an interior hallway on the lowest floor level is safest.  Kneel on the floor against the wall and place hands over your head to provide some protection for your head.

When in Mobile homes or portable buildings... leave these structures and go inside a strong building for shelter. If there is no shelter nearby... get into the nearest ditch or depression. Lie
flat with your hands shielding your head.

When in a vehicle... buckle your seat belt and try to drive away from the tornado or to the closest sturdy shelter. If there is no shelter nearby... you have the following options... stay in the car with your seat belt on... putting your head below windows... and covering your head with your hands or blankets if possible... or exit the car and get into a ditch or low lying area.

Planning ahead and knowing the safety rules is essential in being prepared when a tornado strikes.Do you and your family have a plan?

The National Weather Service said they would like to thank everyone involved in making Severe Weather Awareness Week a Success and helping keep us all safe during this time of the year.