The tornadoes across the Midwest this week are vivid reminders that we should always be vigilant and well-prepared. After all, Texas leads the nation with an average of 137 tornadoes each year, and more than 60 percent of those storms occur from April to June. Continue reading Our area’s recent tornado history shows residents should always be vigilant and well-prepared
A dangerous tornado ripped through our neighbors in nearby Madisonville a few weeks ago, causing significant damage. Just because tornadoes are relatively rare in our area doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant and well-prepared. Continue reading Our area’s recent tornado history shows residents should always be vigilant and well-prepared
Just because tornadoes are relatively rare in our area doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant and well-prepared. Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms, and we should always stand ready to handle whatever comes our way. Continue reading Our recent history confirms tornadoes are a local threat
Saturday’s tornado in nearby Franklin destroyed much of the town with winds of 136-165 mph. Fortunately, only about a dozen minor injuries were reported, but the dangerous EF-3 twister served as a wake-up call for the Bryan-College Station community. As if we needed another warning. Continue reading Franklin tornado yet another reminder to be prepared
Last May, a tornado battered several neighborhoods along a two-mile path in Bryan, damaging more than 150 homes. No major injuries were reported, but the dangerous storm served as a wake-up call for the Bryan-College Station community. Just because tornadoes have been rare in our area doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant and well-prepared. Continue reading Last May’s tornado showed we should be vigilant
Editor’s Note: Gov. Greg Abbott has proclaimed this as Severe Weather Awareness Week. This blog was originally published on April 30, 2014 under the headline “Tornado preparation is important – even in BCS.”
By Brian Hilton, Emergency Management Coordinator
The Bryan-College Station area has had its share of funnel clouds and tornado scares over the years, but we’ve managed to escape any loss of life or catastrophic damage. In fact, straight line winds and microbursts have caused more property damage here than twisters.
Although strong tornadoes are uncommon in our area, that doesn’t mean a deadly tornado couldn’t happen. And even small tornadoes have the potential to be violent.
Since 2000, Brazos County has experienced nine small tornadoes, with three rated F1 (wind speeds of 73-122 mph) on the Fujita scale and the rest F0 (under 73 mph). In December 2006, a F1 tornado moved south to north for five miles across central College Station and did considerable damage to an apartment complex on FM2818 and several businesses along Southwest Parkway and Texas Avenue. Three people suffered injuries.
Continue reading “Severe Weather Week marks start of tornado season”
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