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Summary by ,

As are we are faced with another natural disaster tragedy in the United States, this time in the form of a , we are reminded of the shear power of mother nature.Ìý Following almost the exact path of the , this left a tremendous amount of damage in it’s wake.Ìý While no one can stop tornadoes from forming, the difference in the official and unofficial warning and response protocols was clear in the immediate aftermath. ÌýÌý

Meteorologists gave a critical warning beforehand not to react as you normally would — going into the bathtub and putting a mattress over you/going to an interior room — something that citizens in have done for decades.Ìý Rather, they told everyone to get underground, in their safe room, or start driving away from the tornado.Ìý Driving away from a tornado is usually not advisable but it was recognized quickly by meteorologists and emergency management officials that this was no ordinary tornado.

Lessons learned from the 1999 Moore Tornado, , and the has produced a level of preparedness that saved countless residents, many who survived a direct hit to the regional hospital and schools in the area.Ìý All angles of have improved after those tragedies, from quick disaster declarations, emergency drills, and warning systems to rapid search and rescue efforts.Ìý Watching the coverage last night was absolutely heartbreaking, but it also gave me an extreme sense of pride watching reflective vests move through the town, knowing I am a part of large community that works to keep people safe and help them recover when tragedy, whatever its genesis, strikes.