S-N Editorial

Reminders come in several forms. Sometimes it’s the ding of a phone; other times it’s a Post-It note. Last week, it was tornadoes.

A scourge of dangerous twisters ripped across Nebraska and Iowa last Friday, wreaking havoc and leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed, and many people are homeless now – they’re just feeling lucky to have escaped with their lives.

That will count as a huge victory down in Minden. Drone footage from the small Pottawattamie County community revealed a harrowing scene as houses and buildings were completely flattened by the massive EF3 wedge tornado. One man died there after being trapped in his basement. So far, a total of nine counties have received disaster declarations from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The tornadoes were as terrifying as they were brief. Weather forecasts had called for severe weather last Friday, but it’s safe to say nobody was expecting more than 20 twisters to touch down in the Hawkeye State. The storms proved that Mother Nature is always in control.

Though unfortunate, last week’s barrage served as a reminder that severe weather season is upon us. The National Weather Service urges us to always have a plan in place and remember key safety tips to stay out of harm’s way.

• Get in: If you are outside, get inside. If you’re already inside, get as far into the middle of the building as possible.

• Get down: Get underground if possible. If you cannot, go to the lowest floor possible. Bathrooms, hallways, closets and under stairs are recommended.

• Cover up: Flying and falling debris are a storm’s number one killer. Use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc., to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris.

Of course, you’re not always at home or in a building when severe weather hits – several videos of Friday’s tornadoes were taken from people on the road. The NWS also offers tips for those unfortunate enough to be exposed to the elements during tornado; however, your best course of action will depend on whatever circumstances you’re experiencing at that exact moment.

• If the tornado is far enough away and road options and traffic allow, you should try to find a substantial building for shelter. Follow the basic tornado safety guidelines (get in, get down, cover up). Motorists have found truck stops, convenience stores, restaurants and other businesses to be adequate shelters in a tornado situation. Walk-in coolers can sometimes make a good shelter.

• While you should never try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle, you may, in some situations, be able to get out of the tornado’s way by driving out of its path, or simply stopping and allowing the tornado to pass. Again, this can be extremely dangerous unless traffic, time of day and road options allow you to see the tornado, determine which way it’s moving (and how fast), find a road option that will take you out of its path (while avoiding other storms) and to safe shelter.

• The worst-case scenario for motorists would be to be trapped in your vehicle on the road with no escape possible. This scenario could occur in more densely populated areas, in metropolitan areas at rush hour or in high traffic situations, or on limited access roadways, such as interstates or turnpikes, where it might not be possible to quickly exit and find safe shelter. It is in these situations when it may become necessary to leave your vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch, culvert or low spot.

• Highway overpasses are NOT tornado shelters, and these should be avoided.

• Ditches, culverts, and ravines should be used only as an absolute last resort. You will be exposed to flying debris, rain and hail, lightning and extreme wind. People have survived by seeking shelter in ditches, but people have also died. If you must leave your vehicle to seek shelter in a ditch, you should try to get as far away from the vehicle, as well as any other potential “missiles” as possible.

While everyone would be so lucky to never need these tips, it’s important to brush up on severe weather safety during springtime. Iowa’s weather can change at the drop of a hat, and if last Friday’s storms are any indication, it’s better to be safe than sorry.