February 2022 – Weather Preppers

Weather IQ: When is Severe Weather Season?

Posted on February 23, 2022February 23, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

For the South and the Carolinas, there is a certain time of year that the worst storms and tornadoes typically occur. During Severe Weather Season. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — From January to December, the Carolinas have some level of chance for a severe thunderstorm. But that chance drastically heightens during Severe Weather Season. When and what is Severe Weather Season? It is this time of the year that produces some of the worst tornadoes, largest hailstones,…

Gov: Kentucky’s death toll from December tornadoes now at 80

Posted on February 21, 2022February 28, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

By The Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s death toll from devastating tornadoes in December has risen as Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday announced the deaths of a woman and her infant. Beshear said during a news briefing that the 33-year-old Mayfield woman had been in the hospital for a significant period and died of her injuries. Her unborn child was delivered and died after six days in December, the governor said. “To their family,…

Why Have There Been So Many Wildfires in Texas This Year?

Posted on February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Wes Moorehead spent all day Tuesday in the emergency operations center of the Texas A&M Forest Service in College Station, surveying satellite photos of 24 wildfires across the state. Two dozen fires is much higher than average for a February day in Texas, but Moorehead wasn’t surprised. He had foreseen this, since weather conditions Monday were dry and windy, ideal conditions for a burn. Throughout the day, he coolly orchestrated a response to all the…

Bastrop firefighters battle small wildfire Wednesday night

Posted on February 17, 2022February 17, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Officials said the fire is located northwest of Cardinal Drive and North Bob White Drive. The fire was not moving toward any structures and evacuations are not expected. As of 6:37 p.m., officials said the fire was at 75% containment and it is expected to burn throughout the night. It was estimated at about 10 acres. Windy weather is expected on Thursday, creating elevated fire concerns for much of Central Texas. The National Weather Service…

Weather IQ: Carolina February Tornadoes

Posted on February 16, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Tornadoes are not common during February compared to the warmer months, but they do happen in the Carolinas. Let’s get more weather wise in this weeks Weather IQ. BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. — February Tornadoes: They happen more than you think and have happened recently over the last couple of years. Since 1950, North Carolina has had 70 reported tornadoes in the month of February. That averages out to be one per year. 11 of…

Several southern states at risk of strong storms, tornadoes

Posted on February 16, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Feb. 16, 2022Updated: Feb. 16, 2022 7:05 a.m. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Large parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky will be at risk of powerful thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes as a storm system sweeps into the South, forecasters said Wednesday. More than 20 million people are in a zone that’s most at risk of severe weather on Thursday, the national Storm Prediction Center said in its most recent weather outlook. The region includes Little…

Emergency Services Director remember the eerie quiet after deadly tornado

Posted on February 15, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

February 15, 2022 BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — One year after a deadly tornado devastated parts of Brunswick County, Emergency Services Director Ed Conrow believes the region still has a little ways to go go to fully recover. Conrow says he remembers listening to dispatch just before bed. He realized there was a problem when his crews began getting calls. Just 10 minutes later, Conrow was driving around debris into the dark Ocean Ridge Plantation neighborhood….

The Red Cross remembers deadly Brunswick tornado one year later

Posted on February 15, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

James Jarvis and the Disaster Relief Vechicle (Photo: Juliana Lane, WWAY News) Wilmington, NC (WWAY)- One year ago today, members of the American Red Cross in the Cape Fear region were called out to help those in Brunswick county when a very powerful EF-3 tornado came in and ripped through the community taking the lives of 3 people, and injuring several others. James Jarvis, the Executive Director of the Cape Fear area chapter of the…

Church nearly destroyed from fatal tornado on the mend

Posted on February 15, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

February 15, 2022 BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — Just outside the Ocean Ridge neighborhood, last year’s tornado nearly destroyed several homes, businesses, and Seaside Christian Fellowship Church. Pastor Dwight Reeves has led that congregation for more than 30 years. Though the tornado ripped the church’s sign to the ground, damaged the roof, and blew off the doors, Reeves had faith the small church of 40 people would survive. Even without power of doors, Reeves says people…

One year after deadly tornado, quilters patching up their community.

Posted on February 15, 2022February 16, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

February 15, 2022 BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — After losing one of their own to a fatal tornado a year ago today, the Ocean Ridge Quilters are using their skills to patch up a community. Melanie Kelley, Debbie Krzywicki, and Carol Dunham say Phyllis O’Connor was a force of nature. She was a woman on a mission to help her area and beyond with her talents. According to quilting co-chair Kelley, the beginning of last year…

Level 1 severe weather risk issued for Triangle later this week, big warmup coming

Posted on February 15, 2022February 15, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — With temperatures in the 20s, Tuesday will be another frigid morning, but temperatures will warm into the low to mid 50s by the afternoon. Although it is days away, the National Weather Service has issued a Level 1 severe weather threat for much of central North Carolina on Thursday night. At 5:30 a.m., it was 25 degrees in Raleigh, but the wind chill was making it feel…

Madagascar, southern Africa brace for more tropical storms

Posted on February 14, 2022February 14, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

By WANJOHI KABUKURU, Associated Press MOMBASA, Kenya — Even as southern African nations assess the devastation caused earlier this month by Cyclone Batsirai, a new tropical storm is approaching as the Indian Ocean region is confronted by an intense cyclone season. Tropical Storm Dumako is projected to slam into the northeastern coast of Madagascar Tuesday evening, according to the U.N.’s regional meteorology center in Reunion. Dumako, the fourth storm this year, is forecast to make…

Port Aransas Mayor Charles Bujan, known for leadership in Hurricane Harvey, has died.

Posted on February 9, 2022February 9, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Port Aransas Mayor Charles Bujan – who became nationally known as a stalwart champion of his city in the wake of Hurricane Harvey – died Wednesday, according to county and port officials. He was 77. Bujan had tight ties with the beachside city he loved, an island that his family had called home since 1885 – a point for him that was a matter of pride. Already a pillar of Port Aransas, Bujan was introduced to…

Star Creek Land Stewards helps fight wildfires with goats and sheep

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

SAN GERONIMO, Calif. — On a foggy morning near San Geronimo, a small mountain community 20 minutes west of Fairfax in Marin County, Silvio Justo, a Peruvian herder, unrolls temporary electric fencing he places around herds of sheep and goats rapidly devouring acres of wild grass surrounding a hilltop home. The livestock belong to Star Creek Land Stewards. The Los Banos-based company was hired by a local homeowner to clear the brush surrounding the home…

New study forecasts increased flooding in Texas due to climate change, population growth

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

A recently published study focuses on projected flood risks for regions and states across the U.S. as well as the impacts these events could have on communities in these areas. Published last week in the journal “Nature Climate Change,” the study forecasts increased flood risks in Texas over the next 30 years as a result of climate change and increased development on existing floodplains due to the growing U.S. population, with impacts disproportionately impacting Black…

Arctic blast updates: Water main break leads to flooding along East Freeway in Channelview area

Posted on February 4, 2022February 4, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Keep up with all the updates coming in as the winter cold front moves through Texas. HOUSTON — The latest blast of frigid winter weather is upon us and temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s Thursday night and Friday. Across the state RELATED: Austin weather: Winter Storm Warning in effect; freezing rain, sleet creating dangerous road conditions RELATED: North Texas updates: Ice and snow cause power outages and traffic issues across North Texas…

Cars and homes damaged by fallen trees in San Antonio due to icy conditions

Posted on February 4, 2022February 4, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

Experts said ice can increase the weight of branches up to 30 times. SAN ANTONIO — Toppled trees wreaked havoc in the San Antonio area as cars and homes were left damaged. CPS Energy said trees were the main culprit for leaving thousands in the dark Thursday. Meanwhile city crews with Public Works cleaned up messes. The city tweeted a photo where you could see a tree just fell in the middle of a street….

Nearly 5 years after Hurricane Harvey, thousands of Houston homeowners are still waiting for assistance – and might not get it

Posted on February 3, 2022February 3, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

James Burford has been waiting for years for federal assistance to repair his house from damages it incurred during Hurricane Harvey. When Hurricane Harvey hit James Burford’s home in Northeast Houston in August 2017, he was already too familiar with storm damage. He said he first had to do repairs after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Then Hurricane Ike in 2008 damaged his roof and windows. Harvey made all of that worse. “Harvey did more…

Major Concord intersection reopen after flooding from broken water main

Posted on February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

The intersection of Concord Parkway and Pitts School Road was closed Wednesday due to flooding caused by a broken water main. CONCORD, N.C. — A major intersection in Concord is back open after a broken water main flooded the road Wednesday afternoon. The Concord Police Department tweeted that crews responded to the intersection of Concord Parkway (U.S. 29) and Pitts School Road for flooding a little before 2 p.m. Police said the culprit was a…

Harris County tools to help you navigate flooding conditions

Posted on February 1, 2022February 1, 2022 by WeatherPreppers

The Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System and alerts are the easy ways to monitor conditions. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — We’ve shown you the Flood Warning System put together by the Harris County Flood Control District before, but now’s a good time to remind you how to use it. The default map shows 24-hour rainfall totals, but you can toggle the time frame to look at the past two days or just the…