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Observance reminds of severe weather threat Wharton County warning systems help ensure residents have a chance to respond to emergencies ranging from a severe thunderstorm to the effects of a major accident. But the best advice anyone can give is to just pay attention. Catching the public's attention is one of the goals of the state's Severe Weather Awareness Week Feb. 24 through March 1 Lightning and wind damage are among the greatest threats in Wharton County on a regular basis, El Campo Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Appling said. But there's often little warning when a simple storm front bringing a dousing rain may turn into angry downpours with sizzling lightning. "If you're watching the weather and the forecasts, you're going to know if there's a problem," Appling said. New Taiton NOAA all-hazards radio station broadcasts 24 hours a day at 162.450 MHZ serving Wharton, Colorado, Matagorda, Jackson and Fort Bend counties through an agreement with The National Weather Service, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition. The system announces all weather conditions, but is especially helpful during storms or other potentially damaging and hazardous conditions, Appling said. To receive the broadcast, people need either a weather radio or a scanner capable of picking up that bandwidth. Weather radios are available at several area stores for relatively low prices. For statewide or national emergencies, media outlets can spread the word as quick or faster than local agencies. "If you're watching television, you're getting it the same time we are," Appling said. For immediate local emergencies, the cable interrupt system at Mid-Coast Cable Vision can assist. |
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