An editorial from The Joplin Globe:
It's hard to remain calm in the face of a storm when you realize that the Weather Channel's Mike Bettes is reporting about storm outbreaks from Joplin's Cunningham Park.
A number of residents pointed out his presence to us on Wednesday night. Some even rushed out to have their photos taken with the meteorologist and storm chaser.
Yes, tornado season is here, and when Joplin appears to be in the path of rocky weather, we attract attention. Our EF-5 is still one for the record books.
We have every reason to fear tornadoes. That fear is not irrational by any means.
Yet that fear is likely what has propelled us forward so that our area is far safer than it was almost four years ago. At that time, about 80 percent of the homes hit on May 22, 2011, were without basements or shelters.
What we have noticed since is that we have rightfully focused our concerns on making sure that our children are safer.
Consider that when our local school districts' current and proposed construction projects are completed, more than 40,000 students, staff and community members across Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas will have a safe place available during severe weather. That's according to our analysis based on projected maximum occupancy rates of the shelters.
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Parents need to talk with their children about the realities of tornado season. But they need not unnecessarily frighten their kids. Put a plan in place at your home. Know where your children will go to seek shelter when they are at school. Find out what they would do if they were participating in an after-school activity.
Stay calm, and most of all, stay safe.