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The Woodlands positioned to 'weather' winter storms using social media

By: WOL Staff
| Published 10/13/2014

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands experienced an early dose of winter’s wrath when a storm blew through Monday morning with winds in excess of 60 miles per hour, resulting in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning from the National Weather Advisory. Social media aided in dispatching weather advisories in a timely fashion.

Power lines were down in the areas surrounding The Woodlands, and tree branches littered the landscape. Both coming down in the height of a storm are extremely dangerous situations, thus the reason for issuing the weather alerts on the Digital Texas news sites which include Woodlands Online and its affiliate sites, as well as on social media. The hashtag #WeatherAlert is used when notified by the National Weather Advisory that a weather advisory, watch, or warning is being issued.

It’s important to know the difference between these notifications.

Storm Advisory -- When a storm is occurring, imminent, and is an inconvenience.

Storm Watch -- Significant weather (i.e., high wind, hail, etc.) is expected, but not imminent, for the watch area; intended to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather.

Storm Warning -- A significant storm or hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or likely, and is a threat to life and property.

The type of storm will precede the notifications and will be described as a ‘Thunderstorm’ or ‘Winter’ storm advisory, watch or warning.

Weather is very unpredictable and due to many variables, can alter its direction and intensity, thus the reason the Digital Texas online news sites typically don’t post notifications until certain that a storm is imminent, and will reiterate the message, using the WeatherAlert hashtag, only when notified by the National Weather Advisory, indicating the level of the NWA notification.

When The Woodlands was developed, the presence of so many trees raised concern in the event of inclement weather. The decision was made to run the power lines underground.

The loss of power in The Woodlands during Hurricane Ike in September 2008, was the result of falling trees landing on the energy transmission systems, damaging them beyond usage, not downed power lines. The Woodlands is more likely to ‘weather’ a storm with the least inconvenience...no disruption of power, than neighboring communities with above-ground power lines.

As winter approaches, stay tuned to Woodlands Online and its affiliates: Conroe Today, Spring Today, Magnolia Today, and Tomball Today via their websites and social media. Weather notifications will be posted on the websites and in the social media when applicable, and elevated upon receipt of the National Weather Advisory notifications. Heed the warnings and directions as advised by the NWA, and avoid being out in the height of the storms. The best defense is to avoid.

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