Fire chief reminds residents about weather warning system

Canton Fire Chief Bud Sanford is reminding residents that bad weather can happen any time of year and the city wants them to heed weather warnings.

“In recent years, we all have, or should have all noticed, a change in our weather patterns,” Sanford said. “Mother Nature has always had a mind of her own, but in a sense, she was somewhat predictable. We knew that most of our bad storms here in East Texas would be in and around the springtime.”

From excessive rain to hail to high winds, the area has seen significant damaging weather the past year, Sanford said.

“Some of these storms announced themselves by sending down a volley of hail, causing significant damage to our vehicles, roofs and buildings,” he said. “We have also experienced the storms that have produced rotation (tornado-like activity). Tornado activity can be elevated rotation, meaning that it has not found its way to where we walk, talk and reside. Elevated rotation always has great potential to find its way to solid ground, meaning where we are.

“We take elevated rotation very seriously and consider the need to warn the general public as early as possible. 

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