March 26 2005 There were several Tornado
Watches issued identified as a
Particularly Dangerous Situation (DS)
This means that destructive tornadoes...large hail to 3 inches in diameter...
thunderstorm wind gusts to 80 mph...and dangerous lightning are possible
in these areas. Remember...a tornado watch means conditions are
favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the
watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and
possible warnings.

The end
result was that at
2230 UTC time -Monticello
Lawrence Mississippi - Law enforcement employee reported a tornado
headed toward Monticello. This employee was on hwy 84 headed toward
Brookhaven. Many tornado warnings were being issued because Doppler radar
continues to see strong rotation in many of the storms. There were
reports of a barn roof being blown off in Alabama, trees and power lines
down multiple locations in Mississippi and Alabama. Also baseball sized
hail was reported at Sleeta school in Covington Alabama with many other
large damaging hail reports in several states.
The picture below shows what the weather channel predicts for the area.

Each year tornado and storm chasers get excited about these events
hoping to get video of some spectacular tornado. But what happened
did not live up to the hype. With just two confirmed tornado touchdowns,
it did not turn into a major tornado outbreak. What this teaches us is
that even though we know what ingredients are needed to make for a
severe tornado outbreak, we cannot know for certain when and if it will
actually happen. Often all the ingredients are there and in place,
but for some reason do not produce the major outbreak one would expect.
Even though this was not a major tornado outbreak, please continue to
follow your severe weather safety plan. The one time you think a tornado
will not strike is the very time it probably will, so don't take
chances. Remember, if severe weather approaches the safest place to be
is under the ground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from
all windows. If you have a basement, make it your safe place. If you do
not have a basement, consider an interior hallway or room on the lowest
floor. Putting as many walls as you can between you and the outside will
provide additional protection. If you have helmets for skateboarding,
skiing, motorcycles, any helmet you have put in on your head and keep in
on in the shelter. Head injuries can be the most severe. If you do not
have any helmets, cover your head with your hands, a large pillow, seat
cushions, even a large thick book, just find a way to protect your head.
Be sure to seek shelter in the appropriate place your life may depend
on it.
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