Quote Originally Posted by Blueberry View Post
We definitely don't. We're not used to serious warnings, and most people don't pay that close attention to the news. Most people do not have shelters or access to shelters (official shelters were only opened here after the storms passed and people were left homeless), there aren't sirens (well - the sirens we have for a nuke plant and a university I don't believe are keyed into the system). Lots of homes (I would guess more than 1/2) don't have basements - so you're options are limited. There are also lots of mobile homes in the rural areas.

So sad
That makes me so sad. We don't have basements here in OK, but like Amanda said- we've practiced enough and know where to go to be safe. When there's severe weather, you KNOW there's a possibility for tornadoes and you mentally prepare for what to do in case of emergency. It's in our DNA.
I'm so very sorry for your communities. So very sorry for the loss of life (and as the numbers keep rising, my heart breaks even more).
In OKC, we had an F5 tornado come through in 1999. It was on the ground for hundreds of miles and devastated some very populated areas, yet the loss of life was only a handful. We know what to do, and I'm so sorry that you guys were hit with such devastating storms and were so helpless in protecting yourselves. It's just not fair.