The Weather Channel Studio Takes A Direct Hit From EF-5 Tornado

East Texas knows first hand just how powerful and destructive tornadoes can be and so does The Weather Channel.

April 29, 2017 will be a date that residents of Canton, Fruitvale and Van Zandt County will never forget because of the destruction that was left behind from several tornadoes. On that day, the National Weather Service Office in Ft. Worth and Shreveport issued numerous Tornado Warnings on at least seven confirmed tornadoes. One of the tornadoes spun at winds reaching speeds of 180 m.p.h., which ended up being the strongest recorded tornado in Van Zandt County since 1950.

Thanks to local radio and TV stations, along with The Weather Channel getting the word out about danger, the loss of life was greatly diminished.

After tornadoes do their damage and destruction they are rated by the National Weather Service through the Enhanced Fujita Scale. But what is that and why is it important?

Enter Jim Cantore and The Weather Channel. The Weather Channel has created an awesome video describing the damages and dangers of the differently-rated tornadoes depending upon wind speeds. In the video demonstration, Jim Cantore speaks of the dangers that tornadoes cause and when you can expect the damage. Midway through the video, the studio that Jim is in takes a direct hit from an EF-5 tornado causing catastrophic destruction.

Know what to do if the county or area you are in ever goes under a Tornado Warning - get indoors, get into a basement or most interior room possible, avoid windows and exterior walls, vacate mobile homes and travel trailers and protect yourself. For more helpful and informational tips check out Ready.gov.

Let's hope a repeat of April 29, 2017 never happens here in East Texas, but thanks to the experts at The Weather Channel, we are all better prepared just in case.