Center, TX

... Continuing severe weather awareness week in Louisiana...

This afternoons topics are tornadoes and tornado safety.

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.

The four state region recorded 79 tornadoes in 2011 which is far
more than the 25 tornadoes which occurred in 2010... in fact... nationwide...
2011 recorded the 2nd most tornadoes since record keeping began with a
preliminary count of 1690. 2011 also will be remember for the significant
number of fatalities nationwide with 550 which is ranked 4th using records
dating back to 1925. The outbreak of April 25 and 26 2011 will go down as one of the
2nd largest in the four state region history with 26 tornadoes recorded. Some
of the largest outbreaks across the region have occurred in the
Spring... including the April 2009... April 2000... may 1999... and April
1999 outbreaks which featured numerous strong to violent tornadoes.

Tornadoes can occur anywhere in our four state region... and at any
time of the year. However... peak tornado season is during the months
of March through June... 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... Louisiana...
Texas... Arkansas and Oklahoma rank among the top states in the nation
in the number of reported tornadoes... with Texas ranked as number 1.

After a tornado event... National Weather Service meteorologists make
every attempt to survey the damage and classify the storm based on
the Enhanced Fujita scale. This classification is made by examining
the type of structures damaged and the distance that debris was blown
from its source. Our meteorologists will also determine the storms
touchdown and lifting points... as well as the length and width of the
track. If a tornado has occurred in your area please report it to the
National Weather Service... but only when the threat to your safety
has passed.

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. Always stay away from windows. Kneel on the floor
against the wall and place hands over your head to provide some
protection for your head.

When in Mobile homes... portable classrooms or vehicles... 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.

Planning ahead and knowing the safety rules is essential in being
prepared when a tornado strikes.

The National Weather Service would like to thank everyone involved in
making severe weather awareness week a Success.

&&

For more details on some of the significant severe weather events
across the four state region dating back to the 1978 Shreveport F4
tornado... please visit... www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/shv/events/