Be prepared for severe weather

The tornado that devastated Harrisburg last Wednesday should serve as a warning that we’ve now entered the season in which such storms are possible.
That powerful storm claimed six lives and injured more than 100 citizens – leaving a swath of destruction across a wide area of Southern Illinois.
Similar storms have hit Southern Indiana and parts of Kentucky in recent days.
With those tragedies as a backdrop, we must review our preparedness for severe weather. Are we ready to respond to a similar threat in our businesses and our homes? Have we talked through a plan with our family and coworkers?
Do we have the necessary provisions set aside to help us get through several days without power? We should have a supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights (and extra batteries) and a battery-operated radio.
Sometimes, storms like the one in Harrisburg strike with very little warning. We need to be ready to respond immediately when the warning sirens sound.
Our preparations will determine – to a large extent – how we weather the storm.
db