Severe weather season is upon us here in the Texas Panhandle and Blake-FM wants to help keep your family safe.

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Ahhhh, you have to love the Texas Panhandle weather. It could be 80 degrees, then rain, then dip below 32 degrees and be snowing all in one day. This past winter was a wet one and forecasters are predicting the same for the summer time.

Because we could see more moisture this summer that can only mean one thing, rain! Thunderstorms could pop up at anytime and do you or your family know how to keep safe during a thunderstorm? Or worse, a thunderstorm that produces a tornado?

Below are 5 tips that can help your family should a tornado threaten your family:

1. Take A Tornado Warning Seriously - The National Weather Service has predicted tornadoes more accurately today then ever before. There accuracy is currently at 60%, and their technology is advancing all the time. So in the coming years when you hear tornadoes sirens go off it won't be because a tornado might happen, its because one will happen. (For more info, click here)

2. Do NOT Try And Outrun A Tornado - A Tornado's average speed is 10-20mph across the ground, but can reach speeds up to 60mph. If you think you are the fastest person on the planet, or a NASCAR driver in a mini-van, your chances are slim-to-none when it comes to outrunning a tornado. If you know severe weather is coming get to shelter immediately and stay indoors. (For more info, click here)

3. Do NOT Stand Near Windows - We get it, if there is a tornado outside you want to get it on camera so you can show the world. People get injured or killed the most from debris as a result of a tornado. Standing next to windows trying to see if you can get a glimpse of the tornado or film it is not the smart thing to do. Especially in the Southwest United States, where tornadoes can happen at anytime during the night. You cannot see a tornado at night so stay in the middle of your home away from outside windows and walls. (For more info, click here)

4. Do NOT Take Cover Underneath An Overpass Or Bridge - When severe weather hits people will park their vehicles underneath underpasses or bridges to avoid getting damage from hail and debris. But when tornado sirens come on, underneath an overpass or bridge is the last place you want to be. Winds actually accelerate as they travel underneath an underpass or bridge, enough to cause the structure to fall apart and even lift vehicles off the ground. (For more info, click here)

5. NOT Knowing Severe Weather Is Coming - Me personally I am not a fan of watching the news, to me its boring and I would much rather watch ESPN. I honestly only know what the weather is going to be like when I check my e-mails in the morning. But when my computer is off or I'm not near one I won't know what could be brewing in the sky outside. There are four things you can do to make sure you and your family know when severe weather is coming to keep them safe.
- Purchase A Weather Radio
- Download A Weather App To Your Smartphone
- Sign Up To Receive Cell Phone Texts From Local News Stations
- Sign Up To Receive Phone Calls From Local News Station
(For more info, click here)

Remember during severe weather you can always tune into Blake-FM for severe weather updates. We urge you to sign up to receive weather notifications from ProNews7.


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