Act, don’t wait, when tornado spotted

Last week’s suburban tornadoes provide a good reason for all to take stock of how prepared we are when there might only be minutes to spare between safety and peril.

The National Weather Service confirmed a day after the fact that both Mount Prospect and Downers Grove experienced EF-1 tornadoes Tuesday night. While sirens were going off in nearby towns, neither of those villages sounded the alarm. And, yet, twisters touched down, causing damage, but fortunately, no injuries or deaths.

“The main point from our review is that the best information available at the time indicated there was no tornado on the ground imminent to Mount Prospect,” said Dave Strahl, assistant village manager.

Added Doug Kozlowski, director of communications for Downers Grove: “During that night, none of the triggers or criteria for sounding the sirens were met.”

Still, plenty of towns did sound their sirens. We agree with officials from both communities that their policies need review and potential changes.

It took just over 20 minutes from the first warning from the National Weather Service to the time the deadly EF-5 tornado hit Joplin, Mo., on May 22. In its destructive wake, 156 people were killed, some dying weeks later.

“Every storm is a little different, but this storm went from what was just a funnel cloud to a very strong, very large and very wide and obviously very damaging tornado in a very short time,” in under 10 minutes, Andy Boxell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Springfield, Mo., told MSNBC a day after the tornado struck.

While it’s understandable for towns not to launch their sirens in every case, thereby creating a “boy who cried wolf” scenario, we believe a better safe than sorry attitude is needed.

Residents can help too. When a siren does go off, act. Don’t assume the village is being too cautious, because the time you wait could have devastating effects for you and your family.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency says the majority of Illinois tornadoes occur between April 1 and June 30 and between the hours of 3 and 10 p.m. But they can and have occurred in any month and at all hours.

First, keep an eye on the weather and listen or look for weather alerts. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or it is indicated by weather radar. Don’t wait for the sirens — seek shelter immediately. A basement or cellar is best, but if not possible, then an interior room (closet, bathroom) or hallway on the lowest level is the preferred option.

And, as many found out last week, keeping a disaster supply kit will help with extended power outages.

Yes, it’s possible you have heard this information many, many times in your lifetime. But last week’s storms make it clear it bears repeating.