Severe weather is nothing new to everyone in Newton County. With hurricane season approaching and recent rounds of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, nature has been reminding us, quite forcefully, that it doesn’t care about our schedules or comfort. As Kurt Vonnegut famously put it, “So it goes.”
By now, most people know, or should know, what to do when a tornado strikes. “Stop, drop, and roll!” Nope, that’s for a fire. (Just making sure you’re paying attention.)
When a tornado warning is issued, the safest place to be is in your basement or the innermost room of your house, somewhere far from windows. There’s no need to play daredevil and watch nature’s spin cycle from the front row. Instead, hunker down, stay put, and let the storm pass. It might feel like you're trapped in a scene from Crocnado, but trust me, taking the right safety steps is always the best way to ride out the chaos.
I learned this firsthand. After high school, I lived in an apartment in the Garden District of Monroe, Louisiana. One night, a tornado rolled through while I was fast asleep. The only thing that woke me was my fan turning off. Checking my phone, I realized I had no service. It wasn’t until I stepped outside that I saw the streets littered with downed trees and debris.
My mom will vouch for this, I can sleep through absolutely anything. That’s exactly why I stay up when severe weather hits us here in Newton County.
I want to be available, wide awake, keeping everyone updated on impending storms and breaking news. When the sirens sound, staying informed can make all the difference.
