Tornado safety, consequences

May 14, 2008 07:29 pm

— Our condolences go to those in Picher who lost loved ones or their homes in Saturday’s storm.
The tornado that ravaged the former mining town struck close to home, too, as two of the six Picher residents killed are formerly of Wagoner.
Across the nation this spring, similar storms have taken a number of lives, and each is a warning for people to prepare for possible destructive storms. Family members should know where they can safely take shelter and have food, water and other necessities in case a power loss occurs or damage is done to their homes.
A number of federal and nonprofit agencies — including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — offer tornado safety tips.
The agencies’ advice can be found at their Web sites, but briefly, always seek a sturdy shelter for cover. In a home, get away from windows and go to a closet or small room in a central location and get as close to the floor as possible. Don’t try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle or on foot. Move at right angles to a tornado as much as possible. Outside, seek a low place without trees or vehicles and lie flat with your hands covering the back of your head.
Violent storms will happen. Prudent people are prepared, and preparation, of course, reduces the severity of any tragedy.

Tips online
Tornado safety tips can be found by Clicking Here

The Picher storm is especially disheartening because the town sits in the middle of an environmental disaster. Old lead mines and their acidic waste litter the area, and the federal and state governments debated a buyout program for years before starting one up recently.
After the storm, officials announced that homeowners would be paid the full amount for their property even if their homes were destroyed. That is fair, and we hope the program moves quickly so that the residents who lost homes can relocate and purchase a home equitable with the one they lost.