State-wide twister training Wednesday
Most people think of tornados wreaking havoc in the spring as warm air coming up from the gulf tangles with the cold air left over from the winter.
However, November is another peak time for tornados to strike north Mississippi as the incoming cold fronts from the north greet the warmer air left over from the summer months.
To keep Mississippians on their toes and avoid injury during possible fall tornados, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will conduct a statewide tornado drill Wednesday to make sure all residents are prepared.
The National Weather Service offices will conduct the tornado drill using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio routine weekly test at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday. (October 19, 2010, Page 1)
County officials warn residents against burning in dry weather
County officials were hoping to get an official burn ban in place for Lafayette County this morning at a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors; however, not enough supervisors were at the meeting to reach the quorum needed to approve the ban.
Three out of five supervisors are necessary to vote on anything official. Supervisors Robert Blackmon and Lloyd Oliphant were the only supervisors present at the meeting.
The item will be placed on the agenda for Monday’s regular meeting at 9 a.m. at the Chancery Building. (September 30, 2010, Page 1)
Storm spotter class set Tuesday
If the sound of a tornado drill immediately gets your blood pumping, you might be a good candidate for the upcoming Basic Storm Spotter Class, presented by meteorologists with the National Weather Service.
The class, free of charge, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Central Station. No registration is required. (September 10, 2010, Page 2A)
2010 summer the fifth hottest on record
It’s not your imagination — it’s hot.
In fact, it’s really hot.
According to the National Weather Service, this summer has been the hottest summer since 1953. The hottest summer was 1952, followed by 1943, 1934 and 1953. (July 30, 2010, Page 5A)
More tornado sirens installed
Two of five tornado sirens planned for Lafayette County have been put in place.
The first siren was installed at the Harmontown Fire Department last week. On Tuesday, Abbeville received its siren.
“We’re going to have to do some more programming,” said Lafayette County Emergency Management coordinator David Shaw. “But they are working well.” (June 30, 2010, Page 1)
Storm damage reported
Heavy rains, high winds and lots of cloud-to-ground lightning wrecked havoc on some parts of Oxford Saturday afternoon. The storm, which blew into town around 3 p.m., toppled a few trees and caused a few power outages in the community, Oxford Emergency Management Coordinator Jimmy Allgood said. (June 28, 2010, Page 1)
Hot enough for you?
This week might be a good time to get to know your neighbors with the swimming pool.
The current spell of hot, humid weather will continue to worsen with the heat index readings climbing to 105 by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. (June 16, 2010, Page 1)
Rain could postpone movie night at Avent Park
With a 60 percent chance of rain predicted for most of the day today, the Oxford Park Commission’s first Movie in the Park event might have be put off for another day. OPC officials say they will decide by 3 this afternoon whether to postpone the event to Saturday. Check the OPC website at www.oxfordparkcommission.com or call 232-2380. (June 4, 2010, Page 3A)
Twister leaves death, destruction
The tornado that left one Abbeville woman dead and two homes destroyed was an EF 2 tornado, which means it was fast and powerful, according to the National Weather Service. The twister produced winds of up to 130 mph.
Two tornadoes were spawned by a supercell thunderstorm; the other hit Ashland where it killed three people. (May 3, 2010, Page 1A)
Storms could produce hail, tornadoes
An unstable air mass overtaking the Mid-South this afternoon is expected to produce severe thundershowers that could include large hail, high winds and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. The storm system has already produced tornadoes in Texas and along the Florida panhandle. (April 23, 2010, Page 1A)
