DECATUR -- "What do you do when a tornado is in the area?" a weatherman asked a group of Decatur school children.
"Take shelter," the group responded in unison.
This was the scene Oct. 6 in Devon Courtney's second grade classroom at Decatur's Northside Elementary as Drew Michaels, chief meteorologist for KHOG TV in Rogers, explained the water cycle. Along with Ashley Lee and Rebekah Fisher's combined classes the second-graders learned the meaning of meteorology and it's associated terminology. He explained the effects of warm and cold fronts, high and low pressure systems, and wind patterns on everyday life.
Once the children had a basic knowledge of the science of weather forecasting, Michaels turned to tornado safety, citing the recent severe weather alerts that Decatur experienced Oct. 2. He was quick to point out the best and worst places to go in the event of a tornado.
"Go to an interior room away from windows and doors," Michaels said. "You see the play equipment outside this window? In a tornado they can go right through this window and even the walls."
Michaels also suggested the use of bike, football or any kind of hard hats to protect the head from flying debris in the event of a tornado. Put them on before taking shelter, he said, adding that people have survived direct strikes on their heads from falling debris by the use of helmets.
He concluded his program with a video from the Internet that showed the formation of a tornado, the intensification process and the kind of destruction that occurs.
"Even though tornado season may be over, they still can occur at any time of the year," Michaels said. "It is better to be prepared and take action in the event that one should strike than to be caught off guard and lose a life."
General News on 10/15/2014