The Associated Press is now reporting a death toll of 57 people in Tuesday and Wednesday's tornado outbreak in the mid-Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys.
Probably the first question people have is: Why? Why did at least 57 people die in tornadoes in 2008?
It sure wasn't lack of pre-warning. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center had most of the area stricken under at least a "moderate risk" of severe weather. Most of Arkansas and adjacent states were under a "high risk" of severe storms and tornadoes- strong tornadoes too.
Watches were issued in plenty of time- and fellow weather-watchers in those areas have already reported that the LEAST warning time the NWS provided on any of the tornadoes was 10 minutes.
Meaning people had a MINIMUM of 10 minutes to save their lives.
Granted- these were mostly night tornadoes- moving along at freeway speeds. The "it can't happen here" mode seems to have taken over however- judging this high death count.
I am worried about this spring's weather here in the Central States- I invite those who want to live to become interested as well....
I strongly encourage you- the reader- to educate yourself and your loved ones in severe weather safety. I will be posting the times and locations of NWS spotter sessions- open to the general public.
I pledge to warn you ASAP for such severe weather in our area here- day or night.
Remember what Ben Franklin once said: "Some people are weatherwise- most are otherwise."
Don't let Mother Nature kill you!
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