Sat, Jul 05 2008
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Published May 18, 2008 06:35 pm - Recent cataclysmic events in Myanmar and China left us all reeling. Nothing, however, can bring us to a sober realization of the fragility of life more than a tragic event that strikes close to home. Jo Ellis: Storm tragedies remind us how fragile life is By Jo Ellis Globe columnist Recent cataclysmic events in Myanmar and China left us all reeling. Nothing, however, can bring us to a sober realization of the fragility of life more than a tragic event that strikes close to home. The terrifying tornadoes of May 10 sharply focused attention on the fact that we (as well as family, friends and neighbors), could be lost in an instant. It was especially poignant to me because I was celebrating the start of another year of life. For my birthday present, my husband drove — for hours — to the Flint Hills of Kansas to a greenhouse famous for its huge selection of plants. I spent more hours browsing for plants, pots and garden tools. I was in my element; it was a happy day. On our way home, observing the darkening sky and aware that severe storms were in the forecast, we turned on the radio and heard tornado warnings for Chetopa and Galena, Kan. Just north of Pittsburg, an intense, driving rain coupled with hail forced us to pull off on a side road for 10 minutes until the storm subsided. As we left Pittsburg, the sky cleared, the sun came out and the most perfect rainbow I’ve ever seen escorted us for several miles. Later, I would think of that rainbow as God’s beacon, lighting the path for those who departed life here on Earth that day. We turned east toward home, and only a hazy cloud hinted at the destruction and tragedy that had taken place a few miles south of us. By some accident of nature, we were spared; only a few small twigs littered our yard. Fire Chief John Cooper, who also serves as emergency management director for Carthage, said he was in regular contact with Keith Stammer, who is in the same position for Jasper County. Cooper said the May 10 storm front “built and came in so fast” that there wasn’t a lot of time to do anything but sound the sirens. The city has nine sirens, each of which covers between one-fourth and three-fourths of a mile. While they cover the city geographically, Cooper said several calls came in from people who did not hear the sirens. There is a reason they are called outdoor warning sirens, he said. Modern insulation, doors and windows closed to contain heating or air conditioning, and blaring television sets can block the sirens’ blast. Cooper has several ways of tracking a tornado’s path: through the Jasper County Emergency Service Center, which has a direct line to the National Weather Service; on-duty firemen who can be sent out as spotters; and Weather Tap, an Internet radar service. The sirens are sounded when an approaching tornado or storm with a threatening hook shows up. “The time you spot one is not the time to worry about where to go,” Cooper said. “The time to worry about where to go is way before (the storm).” He said it is important to have a plan for seeking safe shelter and staying informed on weather conditions. For those without adequate protection in a basement, the United Methodist Church in the center of town and the Salvation Army on the south side always open their buildings as shelters, Cooper said. The best way to ensure you are aware of potential storms is to buy a weather radio that broadcasts alerts from the weather service. At $30, these are an inexpensive investment to protect your life, he said. They are available from stores like Wal-Mart or Radio Shack, and they work on batteries if your electricity goes off. Cooper said a list of rules for preventing loss of life from a tornado, printed in both English and Spanish, is available at the fire station. It is a good idea to pick one up — before the next storm. It’s another good idea to buy a weather radio. I know the next time we venture very far from home during tornado season, we’ll take ours with us. 
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