Weather

NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― An apparent tornado touched down late Wednesday afternoon just outside of the city of Breckenridge, in Stephens County. 

Officials say the storm injured at least 15 people in Breckenridge.  Most of the reported injuries were minor, but three people were being treated at an area hospital.

Chopper 11 toured the area and found significant damage at the city's airport.  A vintage airplane restoration business, Ezell Aviation, operates out of the airport, and an aviation museum is also located there.  The family that operates the restoration business tells CBS 11 News some vintage airplanes at the facility were damaged, but there is not yet an estimate of the dollar amount.

At least five houses are also reported to have been destroyed in Breckenridge.

Large trees are said to be uprooted, and an 18-wheeler is overturned on Highway 183 just south of town.

The Stephens County Sheriff tells us witnesses report seeing two simultaneous tornados on the south side of the city.  A trained storm chaser reports a half-mile wide damage path.

Storm damage has also been reported in other area towns, including Graford and Oran in Palo Pinto County.

Other damage was reported at Possum Kingdom Lake, also in Palo Pinto County.

One witness told CBS 11 News he saw a tornado touch down near Decatur, in Wise County.

Weather watches and warnings are common at this time of year, and it's important to know the difference—especially for Tornado Watches and Warnings.

A Tornado Watch means conditions are right for the formation of tornados as well as other types of severe weather.  When one is issued, you should be prepared to take shelter at a moment's notice.  If you have a weather radio, make sure it is turned on.  You should also stay close to your radio or television.

A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted on the ground or circulation has been seen in a thunderstorm by Doppler radar.  In this instance you should take cover immediately. You should also designate a "safe room" in your house.  What is a safe room?  It is a room in the interior of your house without windows.  Bathrooms are usually considered the best, since many times you are protected by more than one wall and you can crawl inside the bathtub and protect yourself since many bathtubs are made of iron.  Hallways will also work, as will any room away from the outer walls with no windows. 

Flying debris is a significant danger during a tornado.  Considering the speed of tornadic wind, these objects can be moving in excess of 250 mph!

Long before severe weather is about to move into your area it is a good idea to work out a plan or procedure for your entire family.  Everyone should know what to do and where to go in case of severe weather. 

Make sure you have fresh batteries for flashlights and radio.  Thunderstorms and tornados can knock out electricity for extended periods of time.  

Make sure everyone knows the dangers which can occur after a storm hits.  Always wear shoes, as broken glass and sharp objects will be everywhere, if the storm hits at night it will be almost impossible to see.  Look for downed power lines.  And watch for snakes as well as other animals.  They will be displaced, just like you.

Keep important papers in a safe place.  It will be much easier to scoop up just one thing if you must leave your house and don't have time to try and remember where you put something. 

If medical supplies are a critical issue for you or someone in your family make sure they can be retrieved easily.  If you can keep spares on hand for extended periods, do so. 

There are many myths about tornados that have been passed on from generation to generation.  Let's dispel some of those myths now.

1. Mobile or manufactured homes attract tornados.   Untrue!  This seems to be true since we often see damage to this type of housing in any video that is shown.  One reason is that it's good video!  The media is looking for the most compelling pictures.  Also, because of its construction, this type of housing sustains heavier damage than a conventional house.  Also, many times it wasn't a tornado that did the damage, but rather straight-line winds.
2. If I'm caught in my car I can always outrun a tornado.  Not true!  First of all, tornados do not have to make the same turns you and your car do and tornados are traveling as fast as the thunderstorms that spawned them--often in excess of 50 miles per hour.  And, if the tornado doesn't seem to be moving, don't believe it.  You're seeing an optical illusion. In actuality the storm is headed right for you.
3. I'll just jump out of my car and run under an overpass for protection.  Not a good idea.  Everyone has seen the video of the people huddled under the overpass when the tornado blew over and no one was injured.  That video showed a rather weak tornado.  Had it been stronger the people could have been pulled from under the overpass--or worse, the overpass could have been weakened or damaged causing it to fall on the people.  Also, other cars could slam into you or your vehicle since visibility during these storms will usually be zero. So what do I do if I'm caught in my car?  Pull off the roadway and get into a sturdy shelter.  Of course if you're on the open road, shelter will be hard to find.  The best thing to do is lay down in the lowest place you can find.  Seek out a ditch or indention in the ground and lay as flat as possible.
4. Tornados cannot hit large cities.  Yes they can.  They have many times.  In Oklahoma City in 1999, the storm hit during afternoon drive time but thanks to quick action by the NWS and local media injuries were very low considering the event.  The damage total: about $1 billion.  The next year, a tornado hit downtown Fort Worth.  The North Texas council of governments has done and extensive study on the consequences of a tornado hitting Dallas during drive time.  Here is one estimate; as many as 62,000 cars could be caught in the path of a large tornado.
5. Open the windows of your house.  Many of you have heard you should open all the windows as a tornado approaches to counteract the pressure change.  Again, that's not true. Houses are not air tight, so any pressure difference will be negligible.  So if you open the windows you will surely do little more than let a lot of water in.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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