A Message From Your Sheriff  JACK W. DIEKEN

 

Jack W. Diek

TAYLOR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR           diekenj@taylorcountytexas.org

FACTS ABOUT

TORNADOES

· They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

· They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.

· The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.

· The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH.

· Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.

· Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.

· Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.

· Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.

       Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

 

Picher, Oklahoma

May 12, 2008

Category EF-4

Tornado

These Tips And Others

About Surviving Severe Weather Can Be Found At: www.fema.gov

A HURRICANE’S THREAT

IS TAYLOR COUNTY SAFE?

HURRICANE KATRINA

GULF OF MEXICO

AUGUST 29, 2005

Even though Taylor County is situated far from

the Texas gulf  coast, hurricane after-effects in the form of  tropical storm remnants can create local

dangers.  Sudden flooding can occur as the

tropical storm pushes its way north.  Citizens should remain alert whenever hurricanes are forecast to enter the gulf region.  Even if the

storm’s path steers it away from this area, heavy rainfall can occur as strong winds push moisture

outward.  The Atlantic Oceanographic &

Meterological Laboratory reports that the

Atlantic hurricane season officially occurs from June 1st to November 30th, although they can

develop at other times also.  The “peaked season”

for hurricanes is August to October, as 78%

of  the year’s tropical storm days occur during

this timeframe.  87% of minor and 96% of major

hurricane days are also experienced during these

three months (go to www.aoml.noaa.gov for more

details).