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.

Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials remind residents that best protection generally is within small rooms in the interior of homes, such as closets and bathrooms.  Residents should stay away from windows, flying debris is the leading cause of death and injuries from tornadoes and thunderstorms. 

If threatening weather approaches and you are caught outside, seek shelter in a ditch or gully, or seek shelter in a nearby sturdy shelter. 

In large buildings, such as schools, office buildings, hospitals or shopping centers, move rapidly to a designated shelter.  Do NOT try to escape in your automobile.

Mobile home residents are extremely vulnerable to tornadoes and high winds.  Mobile residents should have a severe weather action plan to enact if severe weather threatens.  Caddo-Bossier OHSEP provides mobile home parks with information, check-lists and suggestions on tornado plans and preparedness.  Mobile home residents should be ready to leave their mobile homes for substantial shelter if severe weather threatens.  Mobile homes can easily be overturned by strong wind gusts.  In addition, their thin walls are vulnerable to wind blown debris. 

Schools in Caddo and Bossier parishes have detailed severe action plans.  Plans designated shelter areas, weather radios with automatic warning and reception and actions to take when warnings are issued or severe weather develops.  Drills to test school plans are coordinated by Caddo-Bossier OHSEP and the National Weather Service late February and mid-November each year. 

Schools are advised to evacuate gymnasiums, auditoriums, or other rooms with free span roofs and to shelter the students in interior halls.  Large free span roofs may be blown off or collapse during extreme winds.

If severe weather approaches without warning, students are advised to crouch below desks and tables for maximum safety.

School bus personnel are advised not to operate if a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for the Caddo-Bossier area.  School buses are easily rolled by high winds and winds generated by tornadoes.