Stillwater NewsPress

May 20, 2010

OUR VIEW: Be ready, be safe

Make a storm safety plan


Stillwater NewsPress

— Wednesday night was tense for Stillwater and area residents as an ugly spring storm barreled down S.H. 51.

Emergency responders activated tornado warning sirens and the National Weather Service warnings directed people to take cover, to take tornado precautions.

We think that in Oklahoma we all know the drill. But last night wasn’t a drill. And if you didn’t know what to do, where to go, how to respond, please take time today to make a plan – right now.

Stillwater.org/seccc provides information on how to prepare when there is a chance of hazardous weather and what precautions to take as a storm approaches.

You will find at www.stwnewspress a link labeled National Weather Service Severe Weather Warnings. Click there to find up to date warnings, watches and advisories for our area. You will find shelter information on our website.

We also will update our site with weather information and coverage. Follow us on Twitter at StwNewsPress. You also can sign up at stillwater.org/seccc to receive warnings.

Put this list under a magnet on the fridge – or better yet in your cell phone: Stillwater has three public locations for shelters, all on the Oklahoma State University campus. They are Ag Hall, Engineering South and the Student Union. All are accessible by wheelchair.

After the storm remember the danger might not be over. Downed powerlines and scattered debris can pose their own hazards.

We can be safe this tornado season. We just need to be smart. And be ready.