Louisiana Severe Weather Awareness Week 2023

For Immediate Release

Friday, January 17, 2023

Louisiana’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is Sunday, February 19 th – Saturday, February 25 th

The winter of 2022-2023 winter has been active across much of southwest Louisiana. There were 13 tornadoes

from December through mid-February within the National Weather Service Lake Charles’s forecast area. Four

of these tornadoes were strong, which is considered EF2 or greater. With the 2023 spring severe weather season

fast approaching, the National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Governor’s Office of Homeland

Security and Emergency Preparedness, has designated the week of February 19 th as Severe Weather Awareness

Week. This is a safety campaign designed to help residents in the state of Louisiana prepare for the spring

storm season.

For Louisiana’s 2023 Severe Weather Awareness Week, the following safety topics will be highlighted:

Sunday, February 19 th : Make A Plan – Making sure you know what to do before storms threaten the area.

Monday, February 20 th : Severe Thunderstorms – Exploring the dangers of large hail & damaging wind gusts.

Tuesday, February 21 st : Flash Flooding – Highlighting the danger of flash flooding.

Wednesday, February 22 nd : Tornadoes – Highlighting safety tips to help people identify safe shelters, and

develop a family emergency action plan before storms arrive.

(The Routine Weekly NOAA Weather Radio Test on Wednesday will include instructions for a tornado drill.

We encourage all Louisiana residents (including all area schools) to test out their tornado safety plans during

this time. The test and tornado drill will occur at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 nd . If storms are in the

area on this day, the drill will be postponed to Thursday, February 23 rd ).

Thursday, February 23 rd : Lightning – Highlighting the importance of seeking a grounded, fully enclosed

structure with ANY storm that approaches, with a special emphasis on delaying outdoor activities until the

threat of lightning ends.

Friday, February 24 th : Watches, Warnings, and Reception – Providing information on what it means to be

under a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch or Warning, and what actions are recommended when watches

and warnings are issued.

Saturday, February 25 th : Mobile Home Safety – Sharing information on prompting action to keep mobile

home residents safe.