The series of storms and tornadoes that recently swept through our region have taken a toll on our communities. We know this wont be the last well see of such devastating weather conditions, so now is a good time to review safety precautions issued by the National Weather Service, disseminated by the Associated Press and published in The New York Times on May 6. 

  First and foremost, families should develop emergency plans for home, work, school and outdoor activities and conduct frequent drills to be sure everyone understands his or her role. Make it a habit to tune in to radio and television for storm updates, and when preparing for a trip outdoors, take precautions if storms are a possibilityor consider changing your plans.

  Flying debris unleashed by a tornado or storm causes the most deaths and injuries. When tornado warnings are issued or threatening weather approaches, move to a pre-designated shelter. In a home or office building, this could be a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, preferably with no windows or doorways. When possible, take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture, and stay away from windows and chimneys.

  If you are in an automobile, never attempt to outrun a tornado. Instead, leave the car as soon as possible and take shelter in a ditch or low ground. Similarly, mobile homes should be abandoned.

  Despite Doppler radar imagery and other high-tech methods for tracking threatening weather conditions, tornadoes and storms sometimes develop too rapidly for advance warning, so we must remain alert. As Baptist colleagues understand from our system emergency preparedness plans, when we know what to do in an emergency, we are better equipped to react.