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The northern Gulf Coast is second only to Florida in terms of regional lightning strike frequency. While large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and the region’s proximity to the ocean are factors that contribute to this regional phenomenon, local geography affects the frequency of lightning strikes. For example, land adjacent to convex-shaped coastlines, such as Mobile Bay, [...]

Plastic and metal trash in rivers and streams, which eventually lead to the Gulf, are far slower to decompose than other types of litter. In fact, a six-pack yoke could last over 400 years in salt water and a discarded aluminum can could take 100 to 500 years to disintegrate! Viewer Tip: Protect our waters – [...]

A tornado watch indicates tornadoes or severe weather are possible within a certain area, but may not be looming. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or that Doppler radar indicates a pattern in a thunderstorm that can spawn a tornado. Viewer Tip: Listen to your local TV or radio weather forecast [...]

Florida experienced an average of 1,507,277 cloud-to-ground lightning flashes per year between 1996 and 2005! Summer is peak lightning season and in 2007, 45 people were struck and killed by lightning in the U.S. Of those lightning strikes, 98 percent the were outside, 80 percent were males, 30 percent were males between the ages of [...]

A study of lightning flashes in the Houston area between 1989 and 2000 found that lightning flash activity over the center of Houston was high compared to surrounding areas throughout the year, with summer and fall having the highest activity. Scientists think that the heat island effect in cities (paved surfaces absorbing and trapping heat, [...]

Florida is the “lightning capital” of the United States, with more lightning strikes than any other state – on average, lighning results in more deaths in Florida than any other weather hazard! Lightning is a serious threat during thunderstorms, and can strike up to 10 miles outside any rainfall. Viewer Tip: Remember the 30/30 rule: [...]

Did you know that from 1990 until 2003 the state of Florida suffered 2.5 billion dollars in losses as a result of flooding? Due to its low elevation, large coastal populations and frequency of storms, Florida is among the top five states with the highest risk of floods. Viewer Tip: Wetlands provide natural protection from [...]

Recent statistics show that nine out of 10 natural disasters experienced worldwide are related to weather, climate, or water. Floods make up 37 percent of natural disasters worldwide and it is estimated that about 1.5 billion people were affected by floods in some way between 1990 and 2000. Viewer Tip: Know where to get quick, [...]

Houston has over 6,000 miles of streets, and about half of those streets drain to underground pipes which carry rain water to local streams and bayous; in other areas, street drainage travels through roadside ditches. In a localized area in Houston, a one-hour downpour can easily overload the capacity of the street drainage systems, causing [...]