The effects of severe weather and tornadoes reach further than the devastation of local areas. The Soldiers, Families and civilians at Fort Belvoir come from all parts of the U.S. and abroad.
One such Family member is an employee who was worried about her parents during the tornadoes which struck Alabama this spring.
At the end of April, a tornado touched down close to the home of Safety Specialist Bridget Smalls’ elderly parents. They live alone with no relatives nearby.
There was some damage, but no deaths. She spoke with her parents about severe weather, tornadoes and having a plan in case of bad weather.
Her father stated, “Oh baby girl, we are just fine,” her father said. “It was coming down hard; I didn’t know that was a tornado. Your mom and I watched the rain and lightning from the front porch. It was all over quick.”
Smalls was alarmed about his cavalier attitude. Then she thought to herself, he probably thinks this is minor compared to the many life lessons they have endured in their 84-plus years. However, she knew it was important to get them to understand the dangers of severe thunderstorms and the potential deadly outcome.
While on the phone with her father, Bridget calmly discussed preparing for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. She listed items such as having a radio with batteries, listening for sirens when clouds are dark and she informed them of the nearest storm shelter’s location. He repeated everything in their conversation, although he seemed more interested in what was going on with his friends and life in Alabama.
Smalls was not at all sure she had gotten the importance of knowing what to do if ever there was another such storm through to her father.
Then, on April 26, an EF5 tornado decimated miles of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Phone lines were down, cell phones weren’t working, and news reports were sketchy. Authorities reported hundreds of unidentified fatalities and Bridget was frantic, considering her Dad’s earlier state of preparedness.
From Virginia, she called everyone she could to try to get someone to check on her parents. She considered getting on the next plane headed for Alabama, even though she didn’t know exactly what she could do when she got there. After 18 hours of constant phone calls and being put on hold for what seemed like eternity, Bridget found a Family friend who went to the local shelter.
The friend found Bridget’s parents at the shelter, playing cards, safe and happy. They were making new friends, laughing and have a good time.
Bridget was relieved that everyone was fine. The house did suffer damage, but her parents are excited with their new friends. Of course, this does not end the ongoing conversations she will have to have with them. Bridget must go through the drill again and again, as part of their general conversations.
This story could be so close to home for many of us. Do your parents know what to do in a tornado or hurricane? Do they know where to go and how to get there?
Atlantic hurricane season runs through November. The National Hurricane Center predicts that it will be an above-average summer with 12 to 18 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes which are Category 3 and above.
Do you have a plan? Develop a family disaster plan and take time to discuss procedures before disaster strikes. Remember to review hurricane, tornado and severe thunderstorm emergency plans with children and elderly. Contact the local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or local office of emergency management for a copy of “Your Family Disaster Plan.”
Be Prepared, be Safe. Have a plan and maybe a deck of cards. Who knows, you may meet some exciting new friends.
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