March 6-12 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Texas and the National Weather Service encourages all residents, businesses and schools across West Central Texas to practice their tornado drill at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9th. The NWS in San Angelo will transmit a Routine Weekly Message through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at this time. Because of the test format of this message, it may or may not activate certain NOAA Weather Radios.
Being prepared can save lives. The public is encouraged to sign up for weather related warnings which can be life-saving, such as CodeRed which is offered as a free service to Brownwood and Brown County residents. To sign up for this notification of severe weather, CLICK HERE. CodeRed also offers alerts in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts, which may include evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.
The National Weather Service offers the following tips:
1) Have at least two ways to receive life-saving NWS warnings automatically like NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio and a cell phone app. Some communities and TV stations offer timely warnings apps (such as CodeRed). Be sure to contact your emergency management office or your local TV station to see if this service is available in your area. Or you can go online and search for your favorite warning alert app.2) Have a safety plan ahead of time so you know what to do. Please refer to information on the following pages.
CLICK HERE for special weather related preparedness advice including information on how to create a family emergency plan; put together a basic disaster supply kit; videos to teach what to do before, during and after a tornado; and advice for workers and employers regarding severe weather preparedness while on the job.
Two Safety Rules that Could Save Your Life (National Weather Service)
1. Be sure you can receive warnings from the National Weather Service. Don`t depend on sirens. Have more than one way to receive your warnings like your cell/smart phone or weather radio.
Sirens are used to warn those who are outdoors, and may not be loud enough to awaken you in the middle of the night. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector that can warn you anytime, both indoors and outdoors. This radio will produce a loud sound when a tornado warning is issued.
2. Know what to do. The safest place to survive violent, killer tornadoes is in an approved underground storm shelter or in an above ground storm shelter.
The next safest place is on the lowest floor of your home, school or business in an interior room like a closet, hallway, or bathroom. Stay low to the ground and cover yourself with blankets, pillows, and/or mattresses.
If a tornado approaches and you live in a mobile home, abandon it for a more substantial shelter. If nothing is available, lie flat in a nearby ditch covering your head and neck.
Tornadic storms can also produce flash flooding. Watch out when you come to a flooded low water crossing. Always Turn Around, Don`t Drown!
When severe weather threatens West Central Texas, your National Weather Service closely coordinates with local emergency managers, volunteer fire fighters, law enforcement officials, SKYWARN storm spotters, storm chasers, and the media to help keep you safe. But you can be your best source for protection when you get a warning from the National Weather Service if you are “weather ready.”
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your nearest local emergency manager or you can call the National Weather Service at 325-944-9445.
