Tornado Time in Texas

It’s that time of year here in N. Texas for storms, rain, hail and (eeek!) tornadoes. Today we’re under a weather alert with forecast for lots of rain and possible hail and wind. That could turn into a might big wind that could cause Dorothy to shake in her ruby slippers.

When I grew up in North Indiana, we also had tornadoes, and those events were exciting times for us kids. It meant camping out in the basement…with our parents! How fun is that?

My folks must have done something to keep us kids calm, because I can only remember the excitement and not the fear. The awe and shivers came afterwards one spring weekend, though. That part of the country still talks about the Palm Sunday tornadoes of 1965. It was the deadliest tornado outbreak in Indiana history, with 47 documented twisters, $5.5 billion in damages and more than 250 killed. That picture of the double-headed tornado still gives me goosebumps. Another 800-foot-wide tornado killed 25. The trees that survived still grow in a twisted witchy-posture.

It only takes one tornado to land on your life for you to be 100 percent affected. It doesn’t have to be a ravaging pack of twisters. Are you prepared?

People were killed in part because warnings didn’t get to them on time. Those who did get the warnings couldn’t tell the difference between a forecast and an alert. As a result of these killer storms, the weather service launched an education program as well as the designation of “Weather Watch” and “Weather Alert” so the public could be better prepared and take cover. For more on this important storm, read this article.

So today as a grown up, the adventure and excitement have given way to concern. I know what wind can do. Today we get advance warning and know to prepare during a “Watch” and take cover from imminent danger during a “Warning.” But because of the way the ground shifts, few houses have basements to take shelter. Instead, the pantry under the stairs (no windows, center of the house) is our go-to tornado spot.

But real life doesn’t work the way fiction does, where the author can control the outcome. Karma would go into the pantry without prompting–that’s where he tries to eat through the dog food bag to get to the kibble. But with enough warning, Shadow-Pup and the two cats in separate carriers and I all fit inside. Today I’m clearing out space just to be prepared.

And hopefully the space won’t be needed for shelter. Here’s what to do.

Before A Tornado

• Designate your safe area(s). It should be large enough for your whole family–or have more than one place if you have a large number of people and pets. If you don’t have a basement, find an interior room on the first floor, without windows. A bathroom often works.
• Be sure all dangerous or toxic supplies are out of pet range. Our pantry safe place keeps chocolate out of reach, for example, or if you shelter in a garage, make sure chemicals or sharp tools aren’t near.
• Practice evacuating to the safe spot. Perhaps train your dogs and cats to “go-to” the area with a particular cue word–and reward with a special treat. You don’t want to have to hunt for them during the storm. Learn how to crate train your dogs and cats here.
• Identify in advance your pets’ hideaways. Trinity-Kitten likes to hide in the box springs of the guest bedroom’s bed–on the second floor, yikes! Figure out how to evict them from hiding to get them safely into the shelter area.

During a Tornado:

Some areas of the country may offer a community storm shelter. Once at a writer conference in Moore, Oklahoma, when the tornado sirens sounded, we all evacuated into the hotel’s storm shelter. Find out in advance if such alternatives exist and will allow you to bring your animals. Refer to this post about disaster prep for more suggestions for your pet preparedness kit.

If evacuation isn’t an option, get yourself and pets into your storm safe area. Small pets should remain in carriers, for safety and ease of transport should that be needed. Set carriers in the empty bathtub, for example, and climb inside yourself.

After the Storm:

• Leave your safe space only after the storm passes. Leave pets safely in carriers or on leash until you’re sure.
• Keep pets away from any outdoor damage until you’ve investigated. Displaced objects could hurt you or an inquisitive pet. Storms wash away familiar scents and change landmarks (what happened to that tree? or the shed?!). That can confuse pets, and damaged fencing might allow a scared pet to stray.
• Storms may contaminate food, water, or other pet-accessible items so supervise until you know all is safe.
• Avoid downed debris, which may camouflage damaged powerlines.

What have I missed? How do you prepare for Mother Nature’s tantrums? Have you ever experienced a natural disaster–what did you do right/wrong and how will you keep your kids (furry and otherwise) safe? Do tell!