Remember how quickly that tornado struck in the Wizard of Oz?
That was one instance where Hollywood was not exaggerating. Tornadoes are that unpredictable.
People in the path of a tornado are warned, on average, about 13 minutes before a tornado hits, according to the Center for Severe Weather Research, a nonprofit research organization.
That makes preparation crucial.
Amber Parker said that having a tornado plan saved her and her sons' lives last May.
The Parkers had just a few minutes to get to their family's designated safe place, an interior closet. Had she wasted even a few seconds pondering where to go, the house likely would have collapsed on top of her young sons and her.
Michelle Brock, the emergency-management coordinator for the Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management, said that the most critical mistake people make is not having a way to receive a warning.
Because so many tornadoes in North Carolina can hit at night, Brock recommends people buy a weather-alert radio that will sound when watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.
While a tornado watch could last all day, a warning can come quickly. People should find shelter once a warning is issued, Brock said.
"You should stay sheltered until the warning is lifted," Brock said. "The National Weather Service is good about issuing warnings and making sure you are alerted when the warning is over."
■ Lisa O'Donnell can be reached at 727-7420 or at lo'donnell@wsjournal.com.
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