A few postings ago, I showed you pictures of Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska after they had been hit by a storm that was termed a “100 year flood.” Here’s a photo of a flooded area of Grand Island again. This location is at U.S. Highway 281 and Capitol Avenue. The photo was taken May 12th by a good friend who is an adjuster in that area, Randy Beaty.
Here’s a picture my son Chris took last week when we were visiting friends and family in the area. It is the same location that the above picture was taken.
Folks in this area know how to deal with floods. Contrary to common belief, Grand Island has a number of rivers and streams that flow through the community. An unusually wet spring can mean flooding and ground water problems for residents and businesses. By the time we came through, not one business we could find was closed nor was there any indication, other that the water marks on the ditches that the area had been inundated with flood waters about a month prior.
In speaking to a number of people, I learned that folks who survived better than others, helped pitch in to literally bail out their neighbors. There were collapsed basements, flooded schools and churches and rain-soaked businesses. June 3rd was the 25th anniversary of the day 7 tornadoes ripped through Grand Island, killing several people, injuring several hundred and left many homeless. The Grand Island Daily Independent, recently commemorated the event.
The neighborly spirit of the community has won them three All American City Awards and demonstrates the enduring spirit of prairie communities.
On a more local note, we are smack in the middle of severe weather season. On Sunday, the weather radio went of more than a few times with severe thunderstorm watches and warnings as well as a tornado warning for points east of us. Make sure you have an emergency response plan for your family and your employees in the event of severe weather. Organizations sponsoring outdoor sporting events should make sure they advise those in attendance what to do and where to go in the event of bad weather (remember if a tornado strikes, you won’t have time to jump in your car and drive someplace). You should practice severe weather drills just as you practice fire drills both at home and at work.
Make sure you have several flashlights with new batteries, a battery powered radio and a good weather radio. Remember an outdoor warning system is just that….an outdoor warning system. The system is not really intended to be heard indoors. That’s where a weather radio comes in as well as common sense. If the weather looks threatening, turn on the television. a radio. or monitor your weather radio.
Tim Isom, our Emergency Management Director and other members of our staff would be happy to provide you with tips and information. We also provide weather classes for the general public as well as always on the lookout for more volunteers to serve as weather spotters. Feel free to give us a call at 507-645-4477. The National Weather Service also provides a lot of information at their web site.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), also provides a lot of good information on their website.
The key to surviving a disaster or severe weather is planning and preparation. Don’t be caught without a plan!