Saint James, LA

..severe weather awareness week in Louisiana and Mississippi...
     ... 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.

        ... tornadoes... natures most violent storms...

Tornadoes are one of natures most violent weather events. A
tornado is defined as a rapidly rotating column of air which is
attached to a thunderstorm and is in contact with the ground. In the
most extreme tornadoes wind speeds may exceed 300 miles per hour.

Similar to much of the nation the local area had an above normal
number of tornadoes last year. 21 tornadoes touched down in
southeast Louisiana and 10 in nearby areas of southwest and coastal
Mississippi. While most of these tornadoes were weak and short
lived... a few strong tornadoes did touch down in southeast
Louisiana. The strongest tornado in the area occurred on may 26 in
extreme northeast St Tammany Parish producing a Six Mile damage path
and heavily damaging or destroying four houses.

In the southeast United States including the Gulf Coast states
tornadoes can often occur at night. Unfortunately nocturnal
tornadoes have a much greater chance of causing fatalities and
injuries as many people are asleep and not monitoring weather
conditions or media to know if warnings have been issued. NOAA
weather radios can be a life saving weather monitoring device during
the overnight hours. The weather radio can be set in standby Mode
overnight and will automatically alarm and turn-on if a severe
weather watch or warning is issued.

Should a Tornado Warning be issued or if threatening weather
develops in your area... please follow these safety rules:

1. In homes or small buildings go to a small interior room on the
lowest floor... away from windows and doorways.

2 stay away from windows... opening or closing windows will delay
your escape to safety and will make no difference to damage
caused to your home or building.

3. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car... instead leave your
car immediately and seek shelter in a well constructed building.

4. If caught outside... lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression.

5. Mobile homes... even if tied down... offer little protection from
tornadoes and should be abandoned for well constructed
buildings.

Throughout severe weather awareness week... the National Weather
Service will issue public information statements on severe weather
safety.

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