Spring will soon arrive, and so will the storms
Living in the South, we can benefit being ready for severe weather and tornadoes. Some of us have experienced being in the path of a tornado or straight-line winds, but living in the south you can’t escape the destruction of powerful storms.
Last year alone, the state of Mississippi had 61 confirmed tornadoes, including the EF- 4 wedge tornado that struck Rolling Ford and Silver City, killing 17 people and injuring 165 others. The state also had two EF-3 tornadoes that touched down during the outbreak on March 24, claiming the lives of 22 Mississippians.
Last week, Governor Tate Reeves declared February 11- 17 Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi.
A large storm hit Marshall County and the week before I was hired as managing editor. Large trees were blown down and utility lines were down throughout the county. Some people were frustrated because the power was out for days and days. High winds and straight-line winds caused a lot of damage and many had to deal with not having power to keep run medical equipment, home appliances.
The worst destruction I have seen was from a tornado that hit Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, Alabama April 27, 2011. The tornado was over a mile wide and had peak winds of 210 miles per hour. A total of 27 people were killed. I asked my friend Lance, who worked at the Emergency Management office, how bad the area that was hit. After hearing how bad it was I cried thinking about what the families were going through and those who lost loved ones. But Lance also told me how the utility poles were sucked up out of the ground and some places in the road the asphalt was completely pulled up.
Thankfully, the weather service has high-tech instruments that can alert the us a day or two before a storm hits and know the possibility of a tornado touching down. The weather service had alerted northwest Alabama of the threat of tornadoes when the F5 hit Hackleburg and Phil Campbell. The area was warned the day before about the high risk of tornadoes. I can’t imagine how many more would have died if they were not prepared.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency partnered with the National Weather Service to highlight different types of severe weather and ways to prepare for the upcoming spring severe weather season last week.
MEMA urges everyone to have a disaster supply kit stocked with food and water year-round, and have a safe place to seek shelter is also essential.
MEMA has a helpful disaster guide. Go to MEMA’s website, wwwmsema.org, to download and additional severe weather preparedness tips.
Tate said having a plan can be lifesaving.
“The governor encouraged all Mississippians to review their severe weather preparedness plan, especially as we approach Spring.