Let’s Go!
Our spokeshero, TexVortex, helps all Texans to “Be Aware and Prepare” for hurricanes and other windstorms. But that’s a big job and he needs help! This year, your students can help create the next member of our Hurricane Safety Squad.  The prizes for the winning submission are a hurricane safety kit for the student to take home, and an extreme weather reference book for their classroom!
2016 NEW MASCOT CONTEST 
DOLPHIN
BIRD
Who should be our new team member?
It has long been thought that when birds that usually fly high in the sky are gathered on the ground, it’s because they sense impending bad weather. Scientists suspect that the low barometric pressure from storm systems is painful to birds. 
Tiger sharks and other shark species are drawn to rapid changes in water temperature, which happens when hurricanes form. Scientists have tagged sharks so they can monitor their movements and use them to predict where large storms will occur. 
Scientists believe that the first bands of heavy rain in a hurricane dilute the saltwater, alerting dolphins to the storm. They use this advance warning to take their young out to deeper water where they will be protected from violent weather.
SHARK
Here’s how to enter
Let’s Pick!
Animals are in tune with changes in the natural world that humans can’t sense. They often know a hurricane is coming hours or even days in advance. Read about these three animals that can help their human friends know when severe weather is approaching.  Choose one to be the next member of the Hurricane Safety Squad. Give them a name and tell us their story. If we select your animal, you’ll receive a hurricane safety kit to take home and an extreme weather reference book for your classroom!