Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Severe Weather


My plan for today was different from what it turn out to be. And all because of the weather, severe weather in our area. I was glued to National Weather Center, Storm Prediction Center, and local news after receiving a first weather warning e-mail. 


Such emails, while being informative and useful, don't make you at ease. You eyes, ears, and even senses are all weather, and your head becomes a mini radar. Today we had some sun, wind, rain, and even a tornado just a few miles North. 


I am grateful for the modern technology, that keeps us informed and safe. Today was a good time to check on the emergency plan and make an inventory of our emergency kit. 

Sidewalk  under a few inches of water

Are you informed and prepared? 

After the storm (photo source)

Be safe! 


See you,
Marina

40 comments:

  1. Actually truth be told we don't have an emergency kit. But given what is happening to people in Queensland (North East of Australia) we probably should!

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    1. I got my first emergency kit after a huge wind storm hit Seattle on December 14th 2006. Huge trees were falling down forced by a hurricane-force winds like matches. We had no power for 5 days (in December in all electric house!), but because we were campers we had sleeping bags, gas stove, and some food. We even sheltered a friend's family with two children because they were left without any source of heat and food. Needless to say that many stores were out of power and were not open. The once that did stay open, accepted only cash: that was a challenge for a hi-tech city where everything is on-line and plastic. Since then I made an emergency kit and check it twice a year (when we change time) :)

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  2. Take care of yourself. I'll be glad when this weather front moves out.

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    1. Sheila, this front is moving you way now, so be safe my friend! And stay warm: this storm brought cold weather back, and yesterday we had nice 75F!

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  3. I would be terrified by the possibility of a tornado... Here, we don't have such things (maybe a couple of little ones)... Take care of yourself Marina!

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    1. When we moved here, that was my reaction too: terrified. But as time goes, we learned how to deal with it. Watch the weather and know what to do when sirens goes off (I go to a shelter).

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  4. Oh my! is that a picture in front of YOUR house? Do be safe!!!!

    We do have severe weather in Florida, and have an emergency kit, as well as a generator, and weather radio. It's good to be prepared.

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    1. Hi Della, no, it's not our house. Tornado was a few miles to the North from us. Yes, it is good to be informed and prepared. Stay safe!

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  5. This weather is crazy here in Chicagoland now! Louisville had that horrible tornado in 1974 that we went through. Horrendous, and I feel for anyone who goes through one. That was many years ago but I still do not ignore warnings. Be safe.

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    1. Hi Pam, living in Tornado Alley, as they call it it is wise to know what to do and how to be safe. I am ready to take shelter before the siren goes off, no chances taken there. The local weather station does a great job on informing people.

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  6. I'm glad all is well at your house. The weather was strange here in Kansas, too. We were at 77 degrees Monday. Today, in the 20s and snow. Crazy!

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    1. We had both Monday and Tuesday warm, but this storm brought some cold weather and winds. I am so ready for the summer! :)

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  7. Glad you and your family are safe. I always make sure my pantry is well stocked and I have a portable stove.

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    1. Hi Norma, stocked pantry is a wise thing to have. My husband says that I have a little panic attack when my pantry goes very low. :)

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  8. That is crazy! I'm glad you are ok! We are very well prepared in case anything happens. You should see all the stuff my husband has stocked my car with! But, I love that he makes sure I am well taken care of. You really do never know what is going to happen! Stay safe!

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    1. Hi Jane, you are out there in Colorado with all the snow, yes, that is very good thing your husband takes care of you and your car. You are absolutely right that we never know what and when can happen. My car is well stocked too: blanket, shovel, emergency kit (I made it, but you can buy one complete), first aid, change of clothe and spare shoes, and even some floating device I got on one of the emergency preparedness training, which I use a lot as a seat on a picnic. :) Thanks for your comment!

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  9. Glad all is well, Marina, and that you and yours are safe. No matter how far we progress, we are virtually helpless before major weather forces. Your creating an emergency kit and checking it when you change the clocks is a very good idea.

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    1. How true is that John: technology does help us, but it doesn't protect. It's all on us to be safe! Thanks for your comment!

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  10. It's scary, Marina. I live in such a weather-safe country and city too... I hope everything is ok and that you didn't have to use your emergency kit.

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    1. Hi Sissi, thanks for your comment. As of safety, I am glad you think that you live in the safe place. However, there's no safe place on Earth: thunderstorms, gale, flood, earthquakes, heat, snow storms, - you name it - exist everywhere. We just need to know what to do in one or the other circumstances. Be aware, be safe! :)

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  11. We saw photos of the damage in Arkansas and other areas. Even with warnings, there's not much time to take cover. It's scary...I know! We try to think ahead, living here in Florida. We would have a place to go...but what to take? That's the hard part!

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    1. Hi Diane, I know, there's never enough time to take cover. We also think ahead: when we know severe weather is heading our area, we usually go to the hospital, and wait there.

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  12. When I travel I am very aware of the weather, we spent the last week camping near a bushfire which we were safe from provided the wind didn't change direction. As you can imagine I was very weather conscious. I should really be more conscious at home too though - although much of Australia does get extreme weather Melbourne is usually calm but perhaps I am too complacent.

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    1. Hi Liz, it is never a bad idea to think ahead and have plan for emergencies. Especially with the kids. They need to know what to do if emergency strikes and parents are not with them. When we lived in Seattle, we had this emergency plan talks, where we discussed what would we do, where would we go, who we would contact, where would we meat if there's no home, all those details.

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  13. We have had some pretty crazy weather here this last week too. And I think we are under prepared. Good reminder!! Your pictures are beautiful nonetheless.

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  14. Oh I hope you are safe! I am so grateful for the many warning systems we have had. Take care! And what beautiful and scary pictures!

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    1. Thank you Monet. I am grateful for warning systems too, and for weather radars too.

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  15. What a disastrous photo my friend, I hope you are all ok and safe! Please take care of yourself!

    Cheers
    CCU

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  16. Oh Marina, pretty scary...I hope you are well and safe.

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    1. Thank you Juliana! I am scary each time we have severe weather. I don't think anyone can get used to it.

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  17. Those photos don't look too good. I hope you are all okay. The weather this summer certainly has been full of surprises xx

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    1. We are far from the summer, but spring usually when it gets crazy here. Thanks for your comment!

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  18. So scary! I hope you are alright and didn't have too much damage from the weather :(

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    1. Hi Kristi, the images are from a place several miles to the North from us. Never too easy...

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  19. Wow, glad you're safe! We experience storms like this from time to time too, and they can be very scary. Good advise that we should all be prepared - thanks.

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    1. Hi John, yes, you are not that far from us (weather wise). Force of the nature can't be ignored...

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  20. Way, Marina, what a storm-( Be safe and warm. We had one big one a few days ago with strong wind and rain and lightning. Very scary stuff! I wish you the best Marinochka.

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    1. Thank you! We are entering a tornado season, so we have to be alert to all weather reports. Sometimes this crazy weather goes all the way to your parts of the country. Stay safe too! Thanks for your friendship! :)

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Your warm comments put a smile on my heart.