Op-ed: "Advance Planning Is The Best Way To Prepare For A Weather Disaster"

March 6, 2008, By Bart Gordon

The tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee last month left many people asking themselves if they would be prepared for such severe weather. For example, relying on a television for weather advisories may not be effective if the power goes out or at night. Would a family member away from home know where to meet loved ones after the storm passed? And if you had to leave your home, what would you do with your pets? While severe weather may strike with little warning, there are steps to take now to answer those questions.

Being aware of weather conditions and warnings is critical, but tornadoes, unlike hurricanes, cannot be seen by satellites. Tornado forecasting requires real-time weather data from weather stations, balloons, airplanes and radar-derived wind measurements and observations from local tornado spotters trained by the National Weather Service.

Having a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio in your home is the best way to receive the latest warnings from the National Weather Service. Weather radios are sold in a variety of stores for around $20. They have an average range of 40 miles and work automatically 24 hours a day, seven days a week to sound an alert when weather watches or warnings are issued nearby.

We know all too well that severe weather can produce winds and heavy rains that can damage property, close roads and take down utility service for days. Homeowners should check their insurance policies to make sure flooding and other weather-related damage is included. Families can prepare emergency kits so portable supplies are ready to go in case they have to leave home for an extended period. And everyone in the family should know where to meet or who to check in with if an emergency occurs while someone is away from home.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends having a basic emergency supply kit on hand at all times. That practical advice could make a difference in an evacuation or in an extended period at home without utility service. Items that should be in the kit include water, non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight and local maps.

For pet owners, even more emergency planning is needed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends bringing pets indoors at the first sign of severe weather and creating a pet-friendly emergency kit in advance with food, medicine, veterinary records and other items in case evacuation is necessary. FEMA also urges pet owners to locate boarding facilities outside their local area in case they have to evacuate with a pet but are unable to return to their home right away. More guidelines and a disaster planning video for pet owners are available at www.fema.gov.

The Homeland Security department’s emergency preparedness Web site, www.ready.gov, provides more information about planning for emergencies. Information can also be requested over the phone by dialing 1-800-BE-READY.

We Tennesseans know that a beautiful spring day can turn to deadly severe weather with little warning. But with careful planning now, you and your family can be better prepared to weather the storm.

Congressman Bart Gordon of Murfreesboro represents Tennessee's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.