Five Tornadoes Touch Down in Houston Area After Christmas
Hey there, Houston! As if the holidays weren’t exciting enough, Mother Nature decided to throw in a little tornado action just a day after Christmas. That’s right, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that five tornadoes touched down in our backyard, from Wharton County to Liberty County. Talk about a wild end to the year!
Tornado Statistics and Damage Reports
Among these tornadoes, one particularly fierce EF-1 tornado ripped through southwest Houston, packing a punch with winds reaching **90 mph**. Can you imagine that? Thankfully, the tornado’s path was less than a tenth of a mile, which kept the damage relatively limited. However, there were still reports of damaged homes as it swept through the area.
Just to keep things interesting, Friday afternoon brought updates from the NWS confirming four additional tornadoes. Be on the lookout for more detailed info about their specific paths, widths, and lengths to be released soon. In the meantime, let’s break down where these tornadoes made their mark on our beloved city.
Locations of Tornado Activity
In Wharton County, the sheriff’s office noted some sightings around key intersections like Loop 183 and County Road 428, FM 960 and FM 961, plus the area of Highway 59 and the El Campo truck stop heading northeast towards Pierce. And it didn’t stop there! Later in the afternoon, tornado activity was also reported around Lake Houston and the Atascocita area. Talk about a tornado tour!
As for Liberty County, the folks there also experienced the gusty fun as multiple tornado reports came in as the storms made their way out of the region. Remember, Houston is known for its unpredictable weather, and tornadoes can pop up at any time of day, during any season. Whether it’s late fall, winter, or spring, there really is no “off-season” for severe weather around here. Stay vigilant!
How to Stay Prepared
Alright, so what does all this mean for you and your family? Staying weather alert in Houston should be treated like a full-time job. Start by checking the weather forecast regularly so that you’re not caught off guard when the winds start howling.
Consider signing up for phone notifications to keep track of impending weather changes. An old-school NOAA weather radio can be a lifesaver, providing the **latest updates** whenever severe weather strikes. It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry!
In addition, make sure everyone in your family knows where to take shelter in case a tornado approaches. It’s also a good idea to establish a quick meeting point for everyone to regroup after the storm passes. Safety first, folks!
Understanding Tornado Categories
For those interested in the nitty-gritty of tornado ratings, the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) is what the pros use to categorize tornadoes. Here’s a little breakdown:
- EF0: 65 to 85 mph
- EF1: 86 to 110 mph
- EF2: 111 to 135 mph
- EF3: 136 to 165 mph
- EF4: 166 to 200 mph
- EF5: Over 200 mph
Let’s hope our wild Houston weather takes a chill pill as we move into the new year. Stay safe, everyone, and be sure to keep your eyes on the sky!
