Gravel Ridge - The severe weather season is well underway in the Natural State, but meteorologists suggest some of the more violent weather could trend more toward May this year.
The El Nino and cooler Gulf of Mexico waters are influencing Arkansas' severe weather season. Experts say as the Gulf warms closer to summer, more severe weather could make its way here.
It was 2003 when the state saw a similar setup with El Nino and a cooler Gulf; 25 tornadoes sliced through central Arkansas that May. Say It On 7: Click Here to Comment on this Story
(Barry Brandt, KATV Meteorologist) "2003 is looking a lot like 2010 is shaping up: we had El Nino, we had cooler than normal in January and February, near normal in March and then it got a little bit warmer. If 2003 is any indicator, 2010 could be a late severe weather season and it could be a notable severe weather season."
Interestingly enough, storm shelters are in high demand in all seasons. Cement structures come in all shapes and sizes. The latest style is upright, handicap accessible and can shelter as many as 20 people. This peace of mind will cost between $3,000 - $4,000.
(Jerry Kuykendall, Kuykendall Cement Corp.) "I think after Beebe got hit, we had several customers come in and said, 'you know, we were going to Florida this year, but this is going to take first precedence. We're going to put a unit in before we do anything else'."
The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management offers a reimbursement program on storm shelters. You can find more information on the rebate by clicking here.!
