The Spring and Summer months are especially prone to conditions that create severe weather, such as thunderstorms, lightning strikes, floods, tornadoes and thunderstorms and extreme heat in the Summer. In the past three years, El Paso has seen 32 heat related deaths in the area, with 12 deaths in 2004 alone.

For this reason the State of Texas has proclaimed March 6-12, 2005 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. During this effort, the Extreme Weather Task Force, which is comprised of City departments and service agencies, will work to inform the public about the necessary steps we can all take to be prepared for severe weather, including the creation of an emergency action plan.

Part of the action plan is to use the Buddy System to look out for each other, especially the elderly and infirmed during the hot Summer days that lay ahead. Officials also suggest creating and maintaining an emergency kit that should contain: water (3 gallons per person), non-perishable foods, a first-aid kit, flashlights, a portable radio and batteries.

For more information on how you can be a Buddy, contact the Severe Weather Task Force at (915) 771-1011 or (915) 771-5703.

Please visit our different site topics ranging from the dangers of extreme weather conditions, helpful weather tips, health and safety, El Paso weather statistics, El Paso weather, where you can find help, Buddy System and much more.

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