I’ve ridden out some pretty bad storms in my life.

I was on a Coast Guard Cutter in a couple of hurricanes and I remember being in the doctor’s office when category 1 hurricane Dolly hit the south Texas coast.  I’ve boarded up windows, barricaded doors and generally been prepared to get the heck out of dodge if a strong-enough hurricane is bearing down.

But that’s the difference. And having lived in Texas so long, I’d forgotten how unpredictable Tennessee weather can be.

With a hurricane, you have days. With a tornado you might have seconds. Maybe less.

That thought was going through my head last week when the tornadoes hit the Murfreesboro area in the middle of the day.

Today our thoughts and prayers remain with those who lost loved ones or are recovering from last week’s storms.

And I wanted to take a couple minutes to remind everyone of a couple of safety tips, which most people know by now.

When conditions are right for a tornado, the important thing is to remain vigilant. Listening to a battery-operated weather radio will ensure you have information even if power is lost. If there is a tornado warning, or you believe one is imminent (yes, they can strike before a warning is issued), take cover.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency web site recommends going to the lowest, most interior part of a house – a storm shelter or basement if available. If not, an interior room (closet or interior hallway) will have to suffice – FEMA said, “put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.” Get under something sturdy and cover your head and neck with your arms.

FEMA suggests abandoning mobile homes for a nearby sturdier building. And if you are caught in the outdoors, lie down in a ditch or depression, protect your face and neck from debris, and be aware of flying debris.

The most important thing is to educate yourself and family, prepare yourself and your family, and be alert when weather conditions are right for a tornado.

Survival in an emergency situation, I’ve found, depends in part on luck, in part on God’s providence, and in part on preparation to deal with the situation at hand.  This applies to tornados, hurricanes, house fires, flooding or pretty much any other type of emergency situation you might find yourself in.

Preparation is the one area that we, as people, can control directly. Taking a few minutes a month with your family to go over what to do in various emergencies the family might encounter can help to tip the odds in your favor.

You may call Clay Morgan at 615-670-3658 (cell) or 666-2440 (office), or e-mail him at cmorgan@heartlandpublications.com.