It’s Texas Severe Weather Awareness Week: Here’s what you need to know

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – As Texans, we are aware that springtime brings much more than just blooming wildflowers and warmer temperatures. It also marks the beginning of severe weather season. That’s why Texas Severe Weather Awareness Week, running from February 20-26, is a crucial time to prepare for the dangerous, active storms that can strike the Lone Star State and right here in the Big Country.

Why Severe Weather Awareness Matters

Texas experiences some of the most extreme weather in the country. In addition, the state sees more tornadoes annually than any other. The reason why is that Texas’s location allows for the common combination of warm, moist air from the Gulf of America, formally known as the Gulf of Mexico, mixing with cold fronts. This often leads to explosive storm development.

While we can’t control the weather, we can control how we prepare. With detailed planning and quick action, the difference between safety and disaster can easily be seen.

Key Weather Threats in Texas

During Severe Weather Awareness Week, each day focuses on a different type of severe weather hazard. While no official schedule has been released at this time, the main hazards typically discussed include thunderstorm safety, tornado preparedness, and flash flood awareness.

How to Prepare for Severe Weather

1. Stay Informed
   • Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, such as through NOAA Weather Radio, local TV, the BCH-To-Go app, and social media updates.
2. Have a Plan
   • Know where to take shelter in your home, school, or workplace. The safest place during a tornado is a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest floor.
3. Build and Emergency Kit
   • Stock up on essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
4. Practice Drills
   • Conduct tornado and severe weather drills within your household to ensure that everyone knows what to do when seconds count.
5. Prepare Your Home
   • Secure outdoor furniture and check your roof and gutters to prevent storm damage.

Looking Ahead

Remember, Texas’s peak severe weather season typically spans March through June; however, storms can always happen year-round. Use this week to instill good safety habits so that when severe weather strikes, safety remains the number one priority. Stay safe and stay prepared!