Credit NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Day 3 Convective Outlook CORR 1
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK0257 AM CDT Sun Mar 20 2022 Valid 221200Z - 231200Z...THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA INTO SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI... CORRECTED MRGL RISK LINE ...
SUMMARY... A substantial severe weather event -- including potential for significant tornadoes -- remains evident over the Lower Mississippi Valley/central Gulf Coast region Tuesday.
While currently not the highest level alert, if you live or work in the warned area, you should be monitoring the situation and be prepared for deteriorating conditions.
So far, the number of deadly tornadoes in 2022 has been below average (see chart below), but tornado season often doesn't get started in earnest until late March or early April.
Tornado seasons can vary wildly, and while some years are relatively mild, others can be devastating. In 2011 - over a period of three days (Apr 25th-28th) - a storm system of epic proportions generated 351 confirmed tornadoes across five southern states, killing 338 persons in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
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| Before and after imagery depicting tornado damage in the vicinity of the intersection of 15th St. E. and McFarland Blvd. E. in southeast Tuscaloosa, AL. |
This was the the third deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. History. More than a dozen of these twisters reached intensities of 4 or 5 on the Enhanced Fujita [EF] scale, which can produce near total devastation.
All but a small part of the United States is vulnerable to these tornadic storms, and while more common in the spring and summer, they can happen anytime of the year.The strongest generally occur in an area we call Tornado Alley (below Left), which runs from middle Texas north though Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. This is the area where you will generally find the largest and most powerful tornadoes; the F5 wedge type.
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| Tornado Alley - Dixie Alley |
Fortunately, much of the mid-west is sparsely populated, and so the number of tornado deaths that occur here are actually less than in other areas of the country.
DIXIE ALLEY (above right) sees more frequent, albeit usually less severe tornadoes. Due to a higher population density, more deaths occur in Dixie Alley than in Tornado Alley most years.
Although you can receive weather alerts on your cell phone, every home should also have a NOAA weather radio as a backup, in case local cell towers are down due to a storm. Once thought of as mainly a source of local weather information, it has now become an `All-Hazards' alert system as well.
Having a safe place to go in your home during a tornado can be life saving. A basement is best, but an interior hallway or windowless room may provide some protection as well.For most Americans, a severe weather event is their biggest regional disaster threat; hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, blizzards, Derechos, and ice storms affect millions of people every year. Having a good (and well rehearsed) family emergency plan is essential for any disaster.
It is important for your plan to include emergency meeting places, out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it (see #NatlPrep : Create A Family Communications Plan).
Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.
As a Floridian I am more than aware that we are only 75 days from the start of the Atlantic Hurricane season - and while the worst storms aren't expected until later in the summer - I'll review my hurricane preps in May. Before I need them.
For some recent preparedness blogs to help get you prepared for whatever may come, you may wish to revisit:
Because it's not a matter of `if' another disaster will strike . . .
It's only a matter of where, when, and how bad.
