How to Identify Your Safe Area

An underground storm shelter is the only way to assure your safety in all tornadoes but certain parts of your home may provide adequate shelter in most weaker tornadoes – which are MUCH more common than the massive EF-5s that affected Moore, Oklahoma yesterday.  I worked with reporter Adam Ghassemi from the CBS affiliate in … Continue reading »

Moore, OK – What Can You Do?

The images are hard to see and comprehend from Moore, OK.  The monstrous tornado that ripped through that community yesterday has left much of the country in shock.  The death toll is still rising as many of us continue to keep survivors in our thoughts and prayers. In times like these, people who are watching … Continue reading »

Multi-day Tornado Threat Across Plains

While we continue to run well below normal the three-year average for tornadoes in May, nature is trying it’s best to catch up fast.  This has been a deadly week for tornadoes in the Plains.  At least 16 tornadoes touched down on Wednesday with the worst killing six people in Granbury, TX.  More tornadoes touched … Continue reading »

The Great Tornado Drought of 2013

Up until now (May 9th), we have seen a near record low number of tornadoes in the first few days of May.  This follows a very calm beginning of tornado season in March and April as well.  The amazing amount of cold air we’ve seen across much of the country this spring has been largely … Continue reading »

What To Do When Outlooked for Severe Weather

So far this April, Tennessee has escaped two threats for severe weather despite large storm systems passing over.  This week, a very energetic system held the potential to produce damaging storms but fortunately, the atmosphere ended up lacking sufficient instability needed for big thunderstorms with tornadoes.  However, the pattern remains active through the rest of … Continue reading »

5 of My Favorite Weather Apps for Severe Weather

I have about 25 weather apps on my phone but there are a few I use over and over, especially leading up to and during severe weather events.  There are many good ones out there but here are my FIVE favorites: 1.  RadarScope – Radar Data Best radar app on market.  Costs money but if … Continue reading »

What to do if You’re in Your Car During a Tornado

Cheryl wrote me and asked “What do I do if I’m in a car during a tornado?”  Understand that if you have to stay in your vehicle, it is a very dangerous situation but here are some tips that can help from the National Weather Service and American Red Cross: 1. If you can, get … Continue reading »

3 Often Overlooked Items in a Tornado Safety Kit

Severe weather season is now underway with a risk of severe weather today across the Plains, tomorrow across the Mississippi River Valley and Thursday across the Southeast.  Now is the time to make sure you’ll receive warnings for your area and you are ready to put your plan into action. Once you’ve identified your safe area in … Continue reading »

Here We Go With Severe Weather Threat

It’s finally warming up across the US which is setting the stage for an abrupt beginning to the year’s severe weather season.  As early as this weekend, warm temperatures in the 70s will surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico reaching all the way into states like Kansas,  Missouri and Kentucky.  The warmer temps, along … Continue reading »

How to Survive a Tornado

Yesterday was yet another day when many people heard the wail of tornado sirens across Middle Tennessee.  The National Weather Service has confirmed two touchdowns so far from Monday’s storms and the storm season is just now getting started.  Let the storms of 24 hours ago be a reminder that you need to have your safety … Continue reading »