Foul Weather

As I write this there are multiple tornadoes on the ground in Oklahoma and Kansas. We are forecast to get severe weather this evening into the overnight hours.  It was only last Sunday that Joplin Missouri was struck by a devastating EF5 tornado causing loss of life of over 100 people.

St Johns Mercy Hospital - Med Flight Helicopter

We become complacent when the tornado sirens go off and nothing happens.  How many times have you gone to your basement or shelter only to emerge with nothing worse than a little rain or wind has come through?  As this tornado proves we cannot become complacent.  If you live in a city or town with tornado sirens heed their warning.  Those of us in more rural areas should without a doubt invest in a weather radio.  There are multiple models available for a relatively modest price.  There are alternatives such as Notify through the Weather Channel.  The cost is small and they will call you when severe weather is in your area or approaching your area.  Many local television stations offer this same service.

We never know when or if a life threatening situation is going to occur. That is why it is important to always be prepared.  Have several flashlights with rechargeable batteries.  Keep some leather gloves and other supplies in a location you can reach quickly when you need to seek shelter.  We keep a large, well stocked first aid bag, flash lights, an axe, and sledge hammer in the basement in our designated spot for tornadoes.

Talk with your extended family before disaster strikes.  Where is your rally point?  How are you going to know one another is okay?  Does everyone in your extended family have a basement or tornado shelter?  Find out.  Ask them where they would go so that if something did happen you would have a starting point as to where to look for them.

Nearly everyone has cell phones now.  Do you know your family members numbers?  We do not have to remember phone numbers anymore because we have contact lists on our phones.  Maybe it would be a good idea to write down everyones phone number and keep it with your "disaster kit". 

Tornadoes will continue to occur.  They may be as small as EF0 up to the dreaded killer EF5.  We know they are going to happen.  Just because it has never happened in your town does not mean it is not going to happen.  Ask the people who used to live in Picher Oklahoma, Joplin Missouri, Reading Kansas, Parsons Kansas, Frontenac Kansas.  I imagine there where people in each of those towns who thought it would never happen to them.

Something to think about.  Stay safe.