(Severe Weather Awareness Week declared in 8 states across the South)

With severe weather season quickly approaching, Severe Weather Awareness Week has been declared from February 21st and or the 22nd through February 26th and or the 27th in 8 states across the South.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and Tennessee

Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for residents to learn about the various weather hazards that frequently impact their state and how families and businesses can prepare for these natural events. 

Each day of this week will focus on a specific severe weather event that could have impacts in each state in the coming months.

Severe weather typically ramps up during the month of March and peaks during the months of April and May across the South.

All types of severe weather become likely as winter cold transitions to spring warmth, with flooding, hail, tornadoes and damaging winds all possible.

In Mississippi, March is on average the wettest month of the year with the highest threat for flooding, while April is the most active month for tornadoes with over 260 confirmed since 1950.

The strongest tornado  (Mississippi) in 2009 occurred on March 28th.  A long tracked EF-3 tornado tore a 17.5 mile path across Simpson and Smith Counties, injuring over 25 people, while damaging and or destroying dozens of homes and businesses.

EF-3 damage in Magee, MS (NWS)

In April of 2008, a EF-2 tornado tore a destructive path across the north side of the capital city of Jackson, injuring over 20 people just after the noon hour on April 4th.

Whether in the form of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flash floods, severe weather can develop very quickly.

Once a tornado approaches, or flooding develops, it is too late to start working on a preparedness plan.

When severe weather develops, and warnings are issued, we must take immediate action to protect ourselves.   

So how does one prepare for severe weather?  For a severe weather preparedness plan to be successful, it must include the following:

• knowledge of terminology such as watches and warnings,
• a thorough knowledge of safety rules to follow when severe weather strikes,
• a reliable method of receiving emergency information,
• the designation of an appropriate shelter,
• and drills to test the plan.

RELATED: Above average Mississippi tornadoes in 2009; top ten most active states in the country

RELATED: Mississippi March tornado trend

RELATED: States on the lookout for tornadoes more than any other

•  Alabama Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Arkansas Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Louisiana Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Texas Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Oklahoma Severe Weather Awareness Information
• Arizona Severe Weather Awareness Information

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