I may come across as a little storm crazy.. let me explain why. Last year there was a fairly big storm and tornado in a town an hour from us. We were traveling to that town not knowing about any inclement weather. I checked radar before we left and there was nothing to indicate anything that would stop us from traveling. We got a lot of flack for being out in that storm with our kids. It hurt my feelings, made me feel like a bad mom for not protecting my kids.... Here's the bottom line. Nobody TOLD us there was a storm -that severe-. Nobody told us there was a threat of tornado or that conditions were even tornado-like. The storm popped up within the hour of us driving there. Those at home watching news knew -way- more than we, who were driving in the car.. Sure we had the radio on and knew there was a storm but we were only hearing sporadic weather updates. And we weren't hearing anything that made us think "This may turn into a tornado" So we continued with our plans. We were accused of not planning. We planned all we could but there's also only so much I can do in a vehicle traveling.
We came really really close to being in the midst of that tornado in our vehicle. It was scary. Our kids were scared. Was it pretty cool.. yes!! (I've always been a storm junkie) But not at the expense that our kids were out in it!! What do I wish? I wish someone would have told us!! People knew we were heading into the area, it wasn't like it was a secret. But with my 3 kids with me, I expected someone to say "hey listen... this very well could produce a tornado" and that never happened. It was a complicated, scary storm.
Now..because of our experience last year I am prepared THIS year. I am taking more precautions. I am making plans a day in advance. I have a place to go because our house doesn't have a basement. If I shouldn't be able to make it to our "safe place" I have a plan for how to keep us safe here. What furniture to move to block us into the hall, what mattresses to grab, etc. I plan to gather phone chargers, blankets, meds, diapers, etc and have that in the car so we can leave at a moments notice should there look like there will be the threat of a tornado. My kids' lives are too precious! Make fun, call me crazy, but I would rather be "crazy" and safe rather than sorry and considering we have no proper shelter here, I have to start early.
If you live in an area that get's tornadoes it's always good to have a kit ready and in the car for when/if you need to leave. I'm putting a link Here of items to prepare. Stay safe this weekend Kansans!!!
