Rumbling spring thunderstorms have announced the beginning of the unofficial tornado season that runs from April through June across Texas and other Tornado Alley states in the nation's heartland. From 1951 through 1986, there have been an average of 118 tornadoes in Texas per year, according to the state climatologist's office in College Station. More than 60 percent of those occur between April and June, records show. In April and June an average of 18 to 19 tornadoes occur each month, but in May, when weather conditions are the most unstable, that average increases to about 36. A few twisters were already recorded in early March in Texas but they did little or no damage. A tornado that touched down Tuesday in central Louisiana, near Bunkie, destroyed two brick homes. ``People should have plans of what they'll do in tornadoes. If they wait until it gets there, it's going to be too late,'' said Buddy McIntyre, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. Last May 22, a killer storm flattened the small West Texas town of Saragosa, killing 30 people and injuring 162. In mid-November, 11 people died in East Texas when a series of tornadoes trashed towns from Cherokee County to the Gulf Coast. ``A tornado is such a devastating kind of storm. No matter how much preparation you do there is some property damage and some loss of life. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself and property,'' said Laureen Chernow, a spokeswoman for the governor's division of emergency management. One is to know the difference between the tornado watches and tornado warnings issued by the weather service. A watch means weather conditions are suitable for development of a tornado, and people should keep a careful lookout for potential funnel clouds. A tornado warning means one has already developed and has been spotted. Take cover immediately and don't go outside, but if you are in a car or mobile home you will be safer taking cover in the nearest ditch or depression. At home, the best place to stay is a basement or underground storm shelter. If no such shelter is available, go inside a closet in the center of the house or bathroom or lie flat under a heavy table. McIntyre noted that most fatalities in a tornado are from flying debris, so ``we tell people to squat down, cover their heads and present a low profile.'' James R. McDonald, director of the Institute for Disaster Research at Texas Tech University, says many people mistakenly try to outrun tornadoes in their cars. During the 1979 Wichita Falls tornado that killed 53, McDonald said, ``people jumped in their cars and drove down Main Street at 90 mph.'' Twenty-six people died while trying to outrun the twister. Another misconception is about opening windows. It was once believed that windows needed to be open to equalize air pressure between the storm and the inside of a house to prevent the house from exploding. McIntyre said there are enough natural openings in a house to equalize air pressure, and ``if that tornado wants to open your windows, it'll do that for you.''
In Texas an average of 118 tornadoes occur annually, most in April through June, with an average of 36 in May. A tornado watch means weather conditions are suitable for tornado development. A warning means one has already developed. At home, take cover underground or in a central closet or bathroom, or lie under a heavy table. Opening windows to equalize air pressure is not necessary. Leave your car or mobile home and get into the nearest ditch. Don't try to outrun a twister in your car. Most fatalities are from flying debris so keep a low profile and cover your head.