Severe Weather Special: Know How to Protect Yourself During Climate Emergencies
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Every year, massive tropical systems form over the warm waters of the ocean, bringing destructive winds, dangerous storm surges, and floods that can transform entire communities in a matter of hours. Hurricanes thus represent one of the most significant threats to families in South Texas. Preparing for severe weather does not start when the storm arrives, but much earlier. Understanding the risks, reviewing insurance, preparing a family plan, staying alert to official warnings, and acting in a timely manner can save lives during hurricanes, floods, fires, blackouts, hail, and extreme heat. Severe storms can bring damaging winds, hail, torrential rain, lightning, and even tornadoes. Meteorologists explain that for a storm to strengthen, several ingredients must come together: moisture, atmospheric instability, a lifting mechanism, and changes in wind direction or speed at different levels of the atmosphere. Any alteration in these factors can change the intensity, duration, or path of a storm, which is why forecasts are constantly updated. Additionally, observing the sky can provide signals: high, bulging, or tilted clouds may indicate more intense storms, especially if structures like cumulonimbus or mammatus clouds develop. Insurance specialists warn that many homeowners' policies do not cover damage caused by flooding from outside sources. Therefore, they recommend checking in advance if one has flood insurance, as some coverages require a waiting period before they take effect. Key recommendations include: reviewing the insurance policy before the season, repairing damage to roofs, doors, and windows, trimming branches or trees that could fall on the home, preparing a family evacuation plan, having water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents ready, and knowing the flood and wind risk in your area. Cities like Weslaco have experienced severe flooding in recent years, partly due to drainage systems that do not always respond to current urban growth. Consequently, local authorities are working on stormwater infrastructure projects to improve water flow and reduce the impact of future extreme rains. Notable improvements include new drainage boxes, retention ponds, and systems to direct water to channels outside urban areas. Experts remind the community to also help by avoiding littering in sewers, drains, and channels. Hail poses a risk that can cause severe damage. Hail forms when raindrops are lifted within a storm and freeze in the colder areas of the cloud. As the ice circulates within the storm, more water droplets adhere to it until it becomes too heavy and falls to the surface. The stronger the storm, the larger the hail can be. The Valley has recorded events with large hail capable of damaging vehicles, roofs, windows, and, in extreme cases, injuring people or animals.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
