Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, but they are most common during the spring. More than 80 percent of all tornadoes occur between March and June, with nearly half of those happening in the month of May. When the wind blows and storm clouds cover Oklahoma, residents can keep ahead of severe weather by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, a 24-hour source of weather forecasts, watches and warnings provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service.

Joe Jordan and Neil Mayo of Murray County Emergency Management will be available to program weather radios and provide free batteries to those who bring in or purchase weather radios on Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Radio Shack in Sulphur. This event is free and open to the public.

For countless people throughout Oklahoma, Weather Radio has meant the difference between life and death and has given its listeners confidence to react when severe, potentially life-threatening weather approaches.

"A Weather Radio with an alarm and battery back-up is one of the best ways to protect your family from tornadoes and other severe weather," said Jordan. "The severe weather information on Weather Radio can prompt you to take life-saving action. It can also alert you to tune to television or radio if you're asleep or not watching television, or if the power is knocked out."

Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. Most Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Most scanners, amateur radios, CB radios, short wave receivers, and some AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving Weather Radio transmissions.

"Weather Radio saves lives," Jordan said. "We encourage everyone to equip their homes, schools, businesses and public places with this life-saving device. In Oklahoma, Weather Radios should be as common as smoke detectors."

According to the National Weather Service, over 90 percent of Oklahoma's population can receive Weather Radio broadcasts. However, a much smaller percentage actually own a NOAA Weather Radio.

Weather Radio is "The Voice of the National Weather Service," but in recent years the sound of the voice has changed. Automation, which allows NWS Forecast Offices to speed critical weather information from advanced workstations directly to the growing number of transmitters, makes use of a computer synthesized voice.

With new digital technology called Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), the alarm on a Weather Radio can be programmed to only alert for counties you select. This new technology eliminates many of the delays inherent in the older systems and allows simultaneous broadcasts on multiple transmitters when necessary. It also makes better use of other new technologies such as SAME, and the Emergency Alert System, which brings critical warnings to commercial broadcasters faster than ever before. The system allows radio broadcasters to break in live with critical information if necessary.

"Each year we are subjected to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in almost every season, but especially in the spring," Mayo said. "We all need to be aware of the natural threats we face in our community and take responsibility to make sure we are properly prepared when disaster strikes."

Take time to designate a "Safe Space" in your home long before storms threaten. Items in your shelter can include a flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, gloves, battery operated radio, extra shoes, cell phone, drinking water, emergency phone numbers and non-perishable food.

"While tornadoes are the most obvious threat to life and property, it is flooding that comes with severe storms that become the most costly disaster Oklahomans have to deal with," according to Jordan. "Getting an insurance check-up on your property and knowing what to do and what not to do when a tornado or flash flood strikes our community is the best way for people to avoid being a victim twice."

Knowing the difference between watches and warnings can help save lives. A TORNADO WATCH means tornadoes are possible. A TORNADO WARNING means a tornado has been sighted.

"When a tornado warning is issued for Murray County the public is notified two ways," said Mayo. In Sulphur, sirens blast six times and the cable TV alert system is activated giving verbal instructions. Those around the Lake of the Arbuckles will hear one long blast.

"Take shelter in a basement, away from windows. If there is no basement, go to an interior room, like a closet, on the ground floor. Get out of mobile homes and cars. If your are in the open, take cover in a ditch or low-lying area," said Mayo.

There are many ways to monitor severe weather, local television channels, Internet-weather web sites, local radio stations, outdoor warning sirens, NOAA weather radios with tone alert siren and personal pagers/cell phones. Scanner frequencies for Murray County are 147.150 for local spotters and 155.835 for Murray County Sheriff's Department. The safest areas in your school are likely to include main hallways away from windows and outside doors. Students should kneel down, face the wall and cover their heads and necks with their hands. When severe weather approaches, stay away from these areas: gymnasium, large span rooms, auditoriums and classrooms with windows.

"It's up to each one of us to closely monitor changing weather while enjoying the great outdoors," said Mayo. "Keep a battery powered radio with you at all times and listen for severe weather threats in your area. Don't wait for the storm to hit, check on the latest forecast as soon as you see dark skies approaching. Lightning is one of nature's worst killers. When storm clouds loom overhead, make sure any outdoor games are postponed and everyone is moved to a secure shelter. Put down golf clubs and any metal objects. Thunder is the sound lightning makes, so even though you may not have seen a flash, there was lightning and it can strike at long distances.

"Keep away from metal buildings, trees, fences and water. These are all attractive to lightning. If you're caught in the open and you cannot seek shelter from lightning, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Do not lie down. Make yourself the smallest target possible."