Gray, LA

... Severe weather awareness week in Louisiana and Mississippi is
February 13 through February 17 2012...

The week of February 13 through February 17 has been proclaimed as
severe weather awareness week in Louisiana and Mississippi. Late
winter and Spring months typically bring the highest frequency of
severe weather to the Gulf Coast region. Severe weather awareness
week is a good time to review severe weather safety plans and ensure
you have a means to receive timely warnings.

During 2011... southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi had a very
active severe weather season. A total of 21 tornadoes touched down
in southeast Louisiana and 10 tornadoes in the adjacent areas of
southwest and coastal Mississippi. There were several days in the
Spring when severe weather affected most of the region with multiple
reports of damaging winds and tornadoes. April 4 was particularly
active with approximately 50 reports of thunderstorm wind damage and
6 tornadoes across southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi. Most
of the tornadoes that occurred during 2011 were weak and short lived
and generally produced only minor to moderate property damage.
However... a couple of strong tornadoes did touch down in southeast
Louisiana during the Spring months. A strong tornado touched down
in the east portion of Slidell on March 9 causing damage to
approximately 30 houses. Another strong tornado occurred on may 26
near sun in extreme northeast St. Tammany Parish. The tornado was
on the ground for approximately 6 miles causing extensive damage to
several houses. Four people suffered injuries during this tornado
event. Three weak tornadoes touched down in the area when Tropical
Storm Lee moved ashore on September 3 and 4. A particularly damaging
thunderstorm wind event occurred on March 29 when severe
thunderstorms moved across the West Bank areas of Metro New Orleans
area producing wind gusts likely in excess of 70 mph along with
large hail. The combined effects of wind gusts and hail produced
damage to commercial signs... roofs and downed power lines and power
from the Gretna to Belle Chasse areas. Lightning produced the only
direct weather fatality in the area last year when a person was
struck and killed by lightning while fishing near Pascagoula in late
July.

On Wednesday morning... February 15... the National Weather Service
invites local government agencies... schools and other organizations
to test their severe weather plans by participating in a tornado
test drill. The National Weather Service will issue a test Tornado
Warning on NOAA Weather Radio between 9 and 10 am. The test warning
will provide interested groups a way to test their severe weather
plans.

Experience has shown that lives can be saved if people are aware of
the dangers associated with tornadoes and severe weather... and
are prepared to take quick steps to protect themselves from
natures most violent and unpredictable storms.

The National Weather Service will be issuing public information
statements about severe weather and information on severe weather
safety according to the following schedule.

Feb 13 Monday morning severe weather awareness week
        Monday afternoon severe thunderstorms

Feb 14 Tuesday morning tornado safety rules
        Tuesday afternoon National Weather Service
                                  watch and warning definitions

Feb 15 Wednesday morning tornado test drill

Feb 16 Thursday morning NOAA Weather Radio
        Thursday afternoon lightning safety

Feb 17 Friday morning flash flood safety


For further information contact the New Orleans / Baton Rouge area
National Weather Service forecast office... 985-649-0357 extension 4.