Wind, rain, hail or tornadoes occur during every month of the year here in the ArkLaTex, but recently in east Texas a weather event served as a grim example of why warnings are in need of a next generation upgrade.
A severe thunderstorm with damaging straight line winds of 80 to 90 mph and large hail led to the death of a woman when a tree fell onto the tent she occupied with her husband and children. Seven injuries also were reported at the Brushy Creek Campground on Lake O’ the Pines, according to KTBS.
Weather radios are touted as one of the best ways to stay informed on severe weather. But the more than 200 people at the campground were tent or RV camping and may or may not have had access to such a device. That’s when cell phones can fill the void — if the owner has downloaded weather-related apps.
Getting warnings out through cell phone pings is one of the many options being studied to notify people of impending harsh weather as scientists are always watching for rough skies and potential for damage — or worse, the loss of human life.
To read more on this story click here.
