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Saragosa, Texas, Tornado May 22, 1987 An Evaluation of the Warning System (1991) / Chapter Skim
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5 Observations, Recommendations, and Conclusions
Pages 29-32

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From page 29...
... All Midland and Odessa television stations display relevant severe thunderstorm or tornado watch and warning symbols in a lower corner of the television screen when appropriate. This technique is an effective means of alerting the public to the threat of severe weather, but it is utilized by only a small percentage of the television stations nationwide.
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From page 30...
... The Law Enforcement Teletype System (LETS) is extremely efficient at distributing NWS tornado watch and warning information to local law enforcement offices and emergency operating centers in those states where a direct tie exists between the LETS and the AFOS communication systems.
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From page 31...
... . Warning dissemination through both regular and cable television systems, especially ethnic channels, by displaying severe thunderstorm or tornado watch and warning symbols in the lower corner of the television screen should be implemented, particularly to reach unincorporated areas in sparsely populated rural counties.
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From page 32...
... Another important lesson to be learned from this disaster is that in the United States the effectiveness of warnings depends on either a common shared language and culture or adaptation of the warning system to a multilingual/ multicultural social structure. Public policies and programs to lessen the destructive effects of natural disasters need to examine the cultural heterogeneity of the population they serve and to adjust their services accordingly.
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Key Terms

  • severe thunderstorm
  • tornado watch
  • radio operators
  • law enforcement
  • storm spotters

  • warning information
  • reeves county
  • television stations
  • severe storm
  • warning symbols

  • spotter training
  • news media
  • television screen
  • local news
  • nws offices

  • public safety
  • warning dissemination
  • lower corner
  • nws tornado
  • storm spotter

  • nws midland
  • tornado detection
  • radio operator
  • multicultural social
  • stations throughout

  • direct connection
  • office provided
  • office received
  • tornado warning
  • shared language


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