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. 

OHSEP personnel remind the area residents that lightning remains the primary threat in severe storms.  Lightning is one weather hazard many people tend to ignore.  In the US lightning kills around 200 people each year.  In Louisiana alone, over 100 persons have been killed as the result of lightning over the past 30 years.  Remember, every thunderstorm produces lightning, a potential killer. 

If a thunderstorm approaches residents are urges to move inside a sturdy building or car.  Residents should NOT take shelter in small shed, under isolated trees, or in a convertible automobile. 

OHSEP personnel and officials urge residents to move off open bodies of water if in a small boat and to seek shelter in a sturdy building onshore.  Large boats should be equipped with lightning protection systems. 

Residents caught outdoors should find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles.  If one is in the woods they are advised to seek shelter under the shorter trees. 

Heavy rainfall accompanies many of the severe storms here in the Ark-La-Tex.  In Shreveport-Bossier urban areas, concrete and asphalt have paved natural ground cover increasing the water runoff when heavy rainfall occurs.  Urban streets, roads and especially highway underpasses can become flooded quickly throughout the Ark-La-Tex. 

When a flash flood warning is issued for the local area, the flash flooding is imminent.  Residents who live in flood prone areas are urged to move to higher ground.  OHSEP urges residents not to drive through flooded roadways, especially flood highway underpasses or through moving water.  The leading cause of flash flood deaths occurs when drivers attempt to drive through flooded roadways.