Weather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a tornado warning. There is no substitute for staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for:

• Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
• Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base — tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
• Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can’t be seen.
• Day or night – Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn’t fade in a few seconds like thunder.
• Night – Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
• Night – Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning — especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.

Our advise is if you see any of these signs, head straight to your safe place, ideally a well prepared storm shelter or safe room.

It’s not the most exciting video, but it sure is reassuring to know you would be protected during Oklahoma’s tornado season in one these storm shelters:

Whether it comes in the form of an earthquake, flood, tornado or fire, the key to survival is to be prepared, including having an emergency kit in place.  Here is a checklist of items to have ready in your storm shelter or safe room:

• A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.
• A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
• A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A first aid kit and prescription medications.
• An extra pair of glasses.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• Credit cards and cash.
• An extra set of car keys.
• A list of family physicians.
• A list of phone numbers for relatives, neighbors, your schools, and utility companies, and photos and descriptions of your family should you be separated.
• A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.
• Don’t forget your pets. Canned pet food and water, sturdy leashes, harnesses or carriers, current photos of the pets and a litter box with litter.

A five-day supply of non-perishable food, bottled water and any prescription medications is recommended for your storm shelter/safe room.

On its website, Ready.gov, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says to obtain information after a disaster by watching TV, listening to the radio or checking the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available.

Choctaw Casino in Durant was the venue for the Tushka Benefit Concert hosted by country superstars Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton.  Ticket sales and other proceeds will be going to the county’s “Tushka Disaster Relief Fund”.

Just over a month ago, amidst a heavy storm night, a deadly tornado ripped through Tushka, killing two people and leaving hundreds without homes. Since then, Atoka county has been busy with relief efforts for the town’s victims.

Both Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton were born in Oklahoma, just a few miles away from Atoka county where the tornado hit.  Reba McEntire, who was born in Kiowa, Oklahoma,  while Shelton is a native of Ada, who now calls Tishomingo home.

“A lot of people lost a great deal in this disaster and it’s particularly close to us because we both consider Oklahoma home,” said Reba. “We wanted to do something and let the people in Oklahoma know that we love them and we’re praying for them during this difficult tragedy.”

“Oklahoma defines who I am and seeing the effects this disaster has had on my neighbors, I knew I had to do something,” said Shelton. “Reba and I have a lot of love for this state and we wanted to do what we can to help. This place is my home and these people are family to us.”

The concert sold out, but you can still help out by making a donation by texting “OKGIVE” to 27722 or visiting their website at www.mGive.org.
You can also send donations for the Tushka Disaster Relief Fund to this address:

Tushka Disaster Relief Fund
101 SE 1st Street
Tushka, OK 74525

It looks really sharp with the black powder coated door.  The color finishes available on the brick and the metal work make this shelter very flexible for any setting.

On April 14, 2011 a tornado slammed into Tushka Oklahoma.  The video above shows some of the aftermath of this F3 tornado.

Unfortunately there were several deaths involved with this tornado and many more as the system moved out of Oklahoma.

On this blog we will be featuring some of our products, like storm shelters and also local Oklahoma news (for example tornadoes in Oklahoma).