Local governments and the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness have proclaimed the week of February 19-25, 2006, as Severe Weather Awareness Week. 

Tornadoes, damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail and flash floods can occur throughout the Ark-La-Tex at any time of the year.  However, late Winter and early Spring usually brings the greatest chance of severe weather events.  With this in mind, the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has declared the week of February 19-25, 2006 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in the Caddo-Bossier area. 

The goal of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to call attention to the threat posed by these weather hazards in an attempt to reduce the loss of life, injury and property damage.  Post storm interviews with survivors prove that preventive measures greatly enhance the chance of survival.  The National Weather Service will transmit tornado, severe weather, flash flood and lightning tips on NOAA weather wire and NOAA weather radio this week.

Area schools, hospitals and other organizations are invited to participate in a tornado, preparedness drill slated between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on Wednesday, February 22, 2006.  The National Weather Service Office in Shreveport will issue a mock tornado warning on NOAA weather radio, including a tone alert notification, at that time for those participating in the severe weather drill.  This would be a convenient time to review and test tornado warnings and the emergency actions you would receive severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings and the emergency actions that you would implement in the case of actual severe weather and/or tornado in your area.  In the event that actual severe weather occurs the mock drill will be rescheduled for the same time Wednesday, March 1, 2006.  For further details on the drill please contact the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 

Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are available to work with departments, units for facilities in developing and refining severe weather awareness plans and programs.  OHSEP personnel are also available to present severe weather safety programs to civic, industrial, organizations, schools and hospital personnel.