Yesterday, news reports of possible twister activities filled the local TV and radio stations. I took few minutes to prep the area where we and our grandsons would take cover should the need arise; then we rehearsed so they would know what to do if a "take cover" warning was issued.
"Tornado season" is generally in the spring with May and June being the peak months. Although I've lived in Arkansas for over 30 years, I've rarely seen tornado action--until last year! 2008 brought on more tornado activity in one season than I had seen in all my years in AR combined! The news revealed devastation just miles away as tornadoes hit parts of Arkansas relentlessly for months.Everyone should know what to do if looking into the ugly face of a twister. Unlike storm chasers who caught amazing footage in last year's barrage of tornadoes in AR (Gilmore, AR, Northeast AR) I prefer to hunker down, take cover, and not chase monsters!
My grandsons spend every other weekend with us (the weeks that Cassie has chemo), so I wanted to ensure they knew exactly what to do if a warning was issued by the National Weather Service. We started by giving the tornado drill a two-word code called "Take Cover." At the "code words" the boys rehearsed exactly what to do. They practiced not "wasting time" or "asking questions" or "arguing" or "knocking each other over," but rather moving calmly but quickly toward the shelter. We even taught the dogs what to do if we say, "take cover."
Down the stairs they went from the upstairs den where they were hanging out toward the interior closet in the lower floor. They know to always move to the lowest level of a house.
Because most homes do not have basements here in NWA, an interior room or closet is the next best place to "take cover."
Boston led his younger brothers through the lower floor to the shelter.
The dogs naturally followed their "buddies" to the shelter. (Dogs and boys travel as a "pack" regularly anyway!)
Around the corner, past the kitchen and down the interior hall, the entourage marched in line to their assigned posts.
(They had fun "posing" for the pictures of their drill.)
Caden & Riley took their place in the closet under the stairs.Because we knew earlier that the weather was threatening, we placed "sitting" and "head covering" pillows to await us in the closet if needed.
The dogs reluctantly took their place in a nook in this interior hall.
Boston took his place in the pantry closet right across from his brothers--just 4 feet away-- which left a place for Dennis and me in between them all.During rehearsal, Boston ensured that there were pillows waiting for me and Papa as well. (So sweet!)
The closet always has flashlights, an emergency radio, bottled water, a first aid kit, and some "emergency snacks."
Even though I'm convinced that the chances of a tornado actually hitting our house is slim to none, I would never ignore or take any warning lightly. However, for entertainment and distraction during a "take cover" tornado warning, I keep healthy finger foods in the closet. I mean, why freak out when you can snack on nuts and dry fruit?
So now, we're prepared. Next time I say "take cover," the boys (and the dogs) know exactly what to do, where to go, and how to stay as safe as possible in the midst of a tornado.
Click here to learn about "myths" when taking cover.
Tornado Facts
- A tornado may be in close proximity to sunshine, or totally enshrouded in heavy rain.
- Sometimes the air before a twister has an eerie calm; sometimes strong, gusty winds are followed by a tornado.
- Large hail and tornadoes can be produced by the same thunderstorm although many times hailstorms are not accompanied by tornadoes.
- Often, tornadoes move from the SW direction, but they can travel from other directions too.
- Twisters can be many sizes or shapes: Wizard-of-Oz-like funnel, snake-like "multiple vortex" funnels, long rope-like shapes or wide, churning, "smoky"looking tornadoes
- It is said that a tornado sounds like a freight train or jet engine, but you may not hear these sounds until it is too late.
I'm sure Dorothy and Auntie Em would be proud of us for taking precautions against violent weather!
I never have to worry about the boys when they stay with mema and papa.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I ever came to a tornado, here in New England, was back in 1985 (86?), after Hurricane Gloria. I was taking a nap, after working 3rd shift at the hospital; my cousin was babysitting my son, Adam, who was 3 years old at the time. I woke up to the sounds of screams coming from the first floor. My cousin was yelling something, up the stairs to me.I couldn't understand what she was saying. For some reason, I reached over to the nearby window, and pulled back the shade. The daylight was totally green! The air was the color of a Granny Smith apple. I didn't know what exactly was happening, but I knew it just wasn't "right" ! lol. I ran downstairs, and my cousin was yelling something about the wind outside, etc. She was extremely upset. Our neighbors across the street later told us, they had observed a "small" tornado, tearing through the neighborhood, and winding its way up our front lawn, and around the side of our house. It had jumped all over the neighborhood. Evidently, I had peeked out the window, just as it was passing by ! It had then headed for a huge, old maple tree, by my son's swing set, in the backyard. It tore about 1/3 of it apart.... like a giant hedge-clipper! Amazingly that tree is still alive, 24 years later. But, I will never forget the experience, of unknowingly looking into the "heart" of a tornado.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment! Thanks for sharing your experience! Who knew that Rhode Island could be so full of action?
ReplyDeleteOH yes! Rhode Island is full of activity! As a matter of fact, when you enter the city of Woonsocket, you'll see signs that state "Woonsocket: City on the Move."
ReplyDeleteI just watched your video link to the Weather Channel's blue box video....on Tornadoes....very informative. Also,I was wondering, do people still have "storm cellars" in their yards anymore, (like in the movie Wizard of Oz? ) I once heard that farmers out in the Midwest, also had them located in their fields, in order to take cover quickly in case of a sudden storm, since they were so far from their homes, while working in the fields. With the increase in bad weather, maybe these storm-cellars, will see a resurgance ? There was a TV report, a few years back, about how people could build a cement-block reinforced area in their homes. Scientists at a Midwest university, had developed specifications for the shelter's construction, based on their studies of a tornado's wind force,etc. If I remember correctly, the construction costs were only a few hundred dollars.
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