No matter how it is said, it all means one thing to me…Katie bar the door!!!! It was a gloomy rainy day in McKinney, Texas. One of the very few rainy days experienced since moving from Maryland in the summertime. It seemed like a typical thunder storm experience …that is until I heard the faint sound of the local tornado siren in our neighboring community. Though I knew I moved into Tornado Alley, this is a sound I was not prepared to hear. It was extremely alarming and I felt extremely ill-prepared. Momentary recollections of Dorothy and Toto whirled through my mind, as I snatched up my little dog and headed for the hall closet. The weather radio reported a tornado warning in effect. The sudden reality of loosing everything to a tornado was like a punch in the stomach. It was a devastating emotion. The local news later reported a tornado touched down to the northeast, just a town away. Are we ever emotionally prepared for such a loss…I say not; though, we can be as physically prepared as possible. Nevertheless, the experts say the chances of survival are very high. Early warning and quick response, saves lives. The following research will help you to get as prepared as possible for the potentially devastating effects of a tornado. Plan your work and work your plan. Stay calm; you can do this!!

A weather radio can save your family from the surprise attack of a tornado. Advance warning is the single most life saving factor in tornado activity. There are battery operated radios as well as hand crank models. I opted for the hand crank. It is very easy to crank and the internal battery stays charged for quite awhile; no batteries to deal with.

It is important to check with the local town municipality or city office for the locations of tornado sirens in your area. Tornado sirens resound for different reasons based on the needs of a particular area. Some areas sound alert to a Tornado Warning signaling immediate danger of a tornado touchdown in your area. Others are used for a Tornado Watch where alerts sound for highway drivers and those outside that are not under an immediate threat. It is important for you to know how your individual municipality handles emergency siren warnings to the public.

REMEMBER: A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted on the ground or by radar in your immediate area and you should take cover. Gather up the family and get to your shelter area. A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. Stay alert to the changing weather forecasts. NOTE: When you hear a warning siren, go to your designated storm shelter, turn on the weather radio to assess the severity of individual your situation for an emergency response.