# 5522
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has raised their risk assessment for severe storm to HIGH for later today across Northeast Texas, far Southeast Oklahoma, a slice of Northwest Louisiana, and the Southern half of Arkansas.
WOUS40 KWNS 261153
ARZ000-LAZ000-OKZ000-TXZ000-261800-
PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0653 AM CDT TUE APR 26 2011...OUTBREAK OF SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY THIS EVENING AND
OVERNIGHT...THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OK IS FORECASTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW STRONG LONG TRACK TORNADOES AND WIDESPREAD
DAMAGING WIND OVER PARTS OF THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT.
THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDESOUTHERN ARKANSAS
EXTREME NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA
SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA
NORTHEASTERN TEXASELSEWHERE...SEVERE STORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FROM...THE OHIO AND TENNESSEE VALLEYS THROUGH THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN PLAINS.
Tomorrow’s forecast has this area of severe weather shifting east.
This comes on the heels of yesterday’s tornado outbreak that left at least 7 dead in Arkansas and leaving the little town of Vilonia, Arkansas nearly destroyed.
There were 38 tornados reported yesterday, along with 97 reports of hail and nearly 400 reports of high winds.
To keep abreast of severe storm forecasts, you can visit NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center online. There you’ll find interactive maps showing current and anticipated severe weather threats all across the nation.
Another resource is NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
Once thought of as mainly a source of local weather information, it has now become an `All-Hazards' alert system as well.
In order to receive these broadcasts, you need a special receiver. Many of these radios have a special `Tone Alert', and will begin playing once they receive a special alert signal from the broadcaster.
Like having an emergency kit, a first aid kit, and a portable AM/FM radio - having a weather radio is an important part of being prepared.
If you haven’t done so recently, now would be a good time to review your family or business emergency plan.
Most Americans are woefully unprepared to deal with emergencies. This despite dozens of major disasters (often weather related) that occur every year in this country.
Agencies like FEMA, READY.GOV and the HHS are constantly trying to get the preparedness message out, so that when (not `if') a disaster does occur, human losses can be minimized.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, including tornadoes, the following sites should be of assistance.
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
Meanwhile, keep a weather eye out, and monitor the situation in your area either through your battery operated NOAA radio or from your local broadcasters.
If severe weather threatens, get to a place of safety.
Oklahoma City has had more than their share of tornadoes, and they offer advice on what to do on their Tornado Safety webpage.
