COUNTY LIFE
Emergency Mgt. provides information on siren signals
On Saturday night a strong supercell went through neighboring Wise County generating an EF2 tornado (up to 130 mph) that struck Runaway Bay and just down the road in Springtown an EF1 tornado (up to 105 mph) hit causing massive damage and two fatalities as of Tuesday.
This storm just skirted the edge of Montague County with Runaway Bay just 27 miles from Bowie. Saturday night the warning sirens went off twice in town.
Sirens also went off on Tuesday afternoon as tornadoes threatened.
With each new storm season citizens question how warning sirens work and their meanings. City Emergency Management Coordinator Kirk Higgins provided the following information on the city’s warning system as a reminder.
The City of Bowie, Texas has four outdoor warning sirens used to alert city residents of the imminent threat of severe weather (tornadoes, hail larger than two inches in diameter, and damaging winds more than 70 mph).
The Cities of Nocona and Saint Jo, as well as the community of Montague, also use siren systems.
The city uses the following criteria for sounding the sirens:
1) The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WARNING which includes Bowie.
2) The National Weather Service has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING which includes the City of Bowie, and they have received confirmed reports of hail larger than two inches in diameter or wind higher than 70 mph.
When sirens are sounded, city residents should immediately seek shelter. Ideally, this would be in a nearby underground storm shelter. However, if this is not available, use the following guidelines for selecting a space to shelter:
1) On the lowest floor of the building (basement would be ideal).
2) A small interior room with no exterior walls or windows (a closet or bathroom would be preferable).
3) Use mattresses or pillows to provide protection.
4) Autos, RVs and mobile homes should not be used as a shelter.
Outdoor warning sirens are not intended to be reliably heard inside. They are meant to warn people outside to seek shelter immediately. There are numerous cell phone apps and messaging systems available for information.
Also in Thursday’s Bowie News see a list of resources where you can monitor severe weather.
Nocona is preparing for the 74th annual Chisholm Trail Rodeo May 8 and 9 at the Chisholm Trail Arena.
The rodeo will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nightly with the Ryan Ready Band playing for the rodeo dance afterward on Saturday night. Tickets in advance are $12 and $15 at the gate.
All the traditional rodeo events are planned along with non-sanctioned events of junior barrels for 16 and under. There is $250 added each night, a jackpot nightly and contestants have a $50 entry fee. Entries open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 4-5.
The new Chisholm Trail Rodeo Queen and Princess will be crowned during Saturday night’s performance. Read about these young ladies in your Thursday Bowie New.
Clara Anderson
TxDOT is hosting a virtual meeting to review projects included in the 2027-2030 Rural TIP.
The program is at 4 p.m. on May 6 and 11:59 p.m. on May 19, all online at https://bit.ly/4uhDwMG
The Rural TIP is a list of local projects to be funded during the next four years in the Wichita Falls District of the Texas Department of Transportation.
The counties included are Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Montague, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, and Young. Transportation projects cannot receive federal funding unless they are included in the Rural TIP. This includes projects for private vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, public transport, and commercial vehicles.
A section of Roach Street has been closed for the last few weeks as a new sewer line was installed replacing old clay tile line. It is phase two of multi-phase sewer line project across the city funded through a Texas Water Development Board loan of more than $9.7 million. The project will replace nearly10 miles of aging lines. (News photo by Barbara Green)
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News