If you grew up in the Midwest you have heard the term Tornado Alley. I grew up in the middle of this area. I can remember begging my mom to stay up during storms. I just knew a tornado would come when I was asleep and carry me away like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Only my fate would not be as musical or pretty. I can remember the twisters that have hit Andover, Haysville and Parsons, KS. The last couple of days have brought all of those anxieties and fears to the surface.
In the last three days two towns (Reading, KS and Joplin, MO) have been hit and devastated by tornadoes within a two hour radius from my home. I have never been to Reading, KS but have regularly done my big shopping in Joplin, MO. I have visited patients in the hospital that was in the path of the tornado. I can barely recognize the town in the pictures.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Reading, Joplin and Minneapolis. I also ask all of us to review our storm safety protocols for this storm season.
Link to K-State Weather Safety Information http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/throck/p.aspx?tabid=74