Parkland officials offer tips to stay safe in disasters
Key to survival is having a plan, practicing it
Even though the dog days of summer didn’t call for too many days of barking about the heat this year, most people are looking forward to cooler temperatures. But while the drop in degrees can be refreshing, it can also mean weeks of unsettled weather.
Each year, more than a thousand tornadoes touch down in the United States, far more than in any other country. Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas make up “tornado alley” where destructive storms strike regularly in the spring and fall. In 2024, there were 1,735 tornadoes. This number makes 2024 the second-highest year on record for tornadoes, behind only 2004, which had 1,817 confirmed tornadoes. This is significantly higher than the 30-year average of 1,225 tornadoes from 1991 to 2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Last year, Texas led with 169 tornadoes, followed by Nebraska and Iowa with 131 each.
And while severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are the primary cause for concern for North Texans, those who travel to the coast are reminded that hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. NOAA predicted the country could see between 12 to 18 named storms in 2025, with nine becoming hurricanes, four of which will be major.
Planning is key to staying safe, said Chris Noah, MS, CHSP, cABCF, Parkland Health’s Director of Disaster Management.
“People plan for vacation, they plan what they’re going to have for dinner, they plan who they’re going out with on Saturday night, but they don’t plan for negative things like tornadoes, floods, fires or even car crashes,” Noah said. “The majority of people don’t plan for something that they don’t think will ever happen.”
But planning ahead, Noah said, could mean the difference between life and death. That’s why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognize September as National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder that everyone should take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect people where they live, work and visit.
The theme this year is “Pathways to recovery in the aftermath of disasters,” highlighting the recovery phase of disasters. Additionally, www.Ready.gov is emphasizing the theme “Take control 1, 2, 3” to encourage individuals, especially older adults, to prepare in advance for potential disasters. >It begins with creating a family communication plan starting with one simple question, “What if?”
“What if I’m separated from my family when something happens? Does everyone know what they’re supposed to do? If I’m at work, will I be able to take my usual route home or is there a backup plan for these types of emergencies,” Noah said. “These are the things you have to plan for because you don’t know when roads will be flooded or trees and power lines will be blocking the road. And what if communication towers are down and mobile phones or computers won’t work, what will you do then?”
Planning in advance will help ensure that all the members of your household, including children and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, as well as outside caregivers, know how to reach each other and where to meet in an emergency.
Officials with DHS say planning starts with three easy steps:
- Collect – Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family and other important people/offices such as medical facilities, doctors, schools or service providers.
- Share – Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, purse or wallet. If you complete your Family Emergency Communication Plan online at ready.gov/plan, you can print it onto a wallet-sized card. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.
- Practice – Have regular household meetings to review and practice your plan.
DHS also says that during an emergency, “text is best.” If you are using a mobile phone, a text message may get through when a phone call will not. This is because a text message requires far less bandwidth than a phone call. Text messages may also be saved and then sent automatically as soon as capacity becomes available.
“The bottom line is no one thinks something bad is going to happen to them, and in most cases, it doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t. It’s not a matter of if something is going to happen, it’s when,” Noah said. “That’s why having answers to the ‘ifs’ is critically important. Planning today could mean a safer tomorrow.”
For information about services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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