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JCIL Emergency Preparedness Initiative
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a shelter from the storm
The National Weather Service gave us early warning on January 8, 2008 of the risks of sever storms. With 70 degree temperatures and a cold front on the way, it was no surprise. Discussing the topics to cover on our IL SuperTalk radio program, the staff decided we’d talk about emergencies, storms and the like. Back at the office after the broadcast, we were meeting with board member Roland.
Checking the radar on the computer we saw a red tornado warning box over Haywood County and another tornado warning box over Dyer County. Roland lives in Haywood. I live in Dyer. When I told Rowland of the situation he said we could meet later. His mother was home alone. The storm associated with Dyersburg was coming out of Missouri and looked to be about 15 miles from my home. Being 40 miles from home I decided I couldn’t beat the tornado. I told the staff of the weather conditions and again checked the radar. The red box had been removed from Dyer County. I then decided to head home before another storm developed. About half way home as I approached Alamo the sky toward Dyersburg turned very dark. At that time WTNE SuperTalk 97.7 FM was broadcasting a tornado warning for Lauderdale and the announcer said looking at the radar it looked like that cell was going into Dyer County. I stopped at the Crockett County Sheriff’s office, went in and called Mazie. She said the sirens had just gone off and she was going to the safe room. The 911 operator was busy taking calls from people who had spotted funnel clouds, one near Gadsden just a few miles away. My son called my cell asking if I and his mom were in the safe room. He said a tornado was being tracked near 104 and 412 very near our home. The sheriff's staff gave me coffee and I told them about my dispatching days (long ago) with the THP. The Sheriff’s family came in, wife and kids. Evidently the Crockett County jail is the safe room in Alamo, Tennessee. After about an hour the weather settled down and I went on home. While I was taking cover in Alamo the home of Christy Davis was being destroyed by a tornado near Halls. Fortunately she was visiting her sister when it hit. At the staff meeting Thursday it was suggested that it would be good to have "Safe Harbor" locations, such as the Crockett County Sheriff's office or a sister's house, in all communities where a person with disabilities could seek shelter - a shelter from the storm. |