#18,401
While we sometimes can go a year or longer without seeing a `High Risk' forecast from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), today they've issued their second in just over 2 weeks (see previous). Although the High Risk region is relatively small, the moderate and enhanced risk areas for today are substantial.
Somewhere between 1000 and 1200 tornadoes are reported each year in the U.S., although that number has been going up in recent years, possibly because of better detection methods. Roughly half occur between March and May, making the spring - particularly in the South and Central states - prime time for these storms.
During the summer, the focus for severe weather moves away from the south (Dixie Alley), and into the mid west (aka `Tornado Alley').
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For most Americans, a severe weather event is their biggest regional disaster threat; hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, blizzards, Derechos, and ice storms affect millions of people every year. Having a good (and well rehearsed) family emergency plan is essential for any disaster.
It is important for your plan to include emergency meeting places, out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it (see #NatlPrep : Create A Family Communications Plan).
Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.
Because it's not a matter of `if' another disaster will strike . . .
It's only a matter of where, when, and how bad.
