Editorial

TORNADO SEASON IS UPON US, SO TAKE HEED

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Most of us weren't around 75 years ago when the nation's deadliest tornado cut a swath across Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and into Indiana, killing 695 people along the way. As the severe weather season starts up, it might be good to reflect on that 1925 tornado.

High winds and crashing lightning swept through the Cape Girardeau area Sunday night. As the storm passed, it dumped heavy rainfall along the way. This is the time of year when sounds of thunder and wind make most of us wary about the potential for a severe storm.

How bad a storm is depends a lot of your perspective. If a bolt of lightning hits your house, it's a damaging storm, even though your neighbors may be welcoming the much-needed rain.

Storms come in all shapes and sizes. For the next few months, we will be watching the sky closely while keeping tuned to our favorite TV or radio station to keep abreast of weather developments.

Of course, there were no early-warning systems in 1925, except for Uncle Bert's arthritic knee. Most folks then knew to watch for sudden changes in the weather, particularly if it was much hotter than the season called for. That's been the case recently as temperatures near the end of March exceed those usually not felt until late April or early May. Such moist, warm days are particularly susceptible to cold fronts lingering to the north and west of us. When the cold air and warm air are shoved together, a severe storm is always a good possibility.

Nowadays, the National Weather Service has sophisticated forecasting equipment that can both anticipate the likelihood of storms and monitor them as they occur. This information can quickly be passed along to broadcasters. There is no doubt that more modern storms have been less deadly than the 1925 monster in large part because potential victims have been better informed.

Weather radios -- tuned to a Weather Service severe-storm forecasting frequency -- are another modern development. These radios can be set to automatically sound an alarm whenever severe weather is forecast, even when the radio is turned off.

As we've said many times in this space before, there is still a key part missing in Cape Girardeau: a severe-weather warning system. In addition, the ability to for emergency personnel to interrupt and pre-empt local cable-TV broadcasts is another option that the city could work out with the local cable-TV franchise.

In the end, it's up to each of us to be alert and take advantage of all this forecasting technology. If we aren't listening when a tornado warming is issued, it won't do us much good. As tornado season gets in full swing, it's time to think about being prepared and taking necessary precautions.