Watch for warnings

This week marks the 92nd anniversary of the darkest day in Poplar Bluff’s history when a massive tornado ripped through the city. In 1927 there was no warning of the impending danger and little time to seek shelter.

Today with advances in technology and forecasting, we are fortunate to have warnings when and where severe weather will strike. Last year saw a record low number for tornado related deaths in the United States with just 10, but over the last decade there were an average of 89 per year.

More people die each year from flooding. If a road is covered with water, turn around. Most cars can be swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water and six inches of rapidly moving water can sweep a person off their feet. More than 50% of flood related deaths are due to someone driving or walking into floodwater, according to the National Weather Service, which offers online safety information at www.weather.gov/owlie/ .

We urge everyone to have a plan in place in case of severe weather and heed the warnings.