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Picture this: you’re on the way to Nana’s house, only on hour three of six on the open roads, and suddenly see the sky fill with a spooky, greenish tint. Being a lifetime resident of the South, you know exactly what that means: twister (cue Bill Paxton or Glen Powell voice, depending on your generation).
Suddenly, you realize that perhaps you are not quite as prepared as you should be. As we find ourselves on the precipice of tornado season, it’s time to review all the best tips, tricks, and safety measures you can take to make sure you get through the spring safely.
Don’t Underestimate Mother South
Apart from the understood knowledge that the South stays hot, hot, hot, it’s easy to blow off the South as a major weather region. We may not receive winters fit for the abominable snowman (though this year came pretty close), but there are plenty of reasons to stay vigilant. Like many other aspects of the South, the weather is diverse, ever-changing, and ready to take names thanks to our vulnerable infrastructure and geography–not to mention nature deals from a full deck down here.
With sweltering summers featuring faint-worthy heatwaves, hurricane-ridden autumns, and winters glazing the streets in ice, there’s not much reprieve. And threading through it all, spring and summer partner up to bring the emulsion of cold, dry air and warm, wet air to create tempestuous cyclones. For Southerners, extreme weather should be expected and prepared for accordingly.
Tornado 101: What You Need to Know
When a tornado threatens (often unannounced, like certain relatives), the best course of action is to have already taken action. Have a go-bag ready with shelf-stable food, water, a first aid kit, medications, and any other day-to-day items that are essential to your family and identify the safest place to situate in your home. Experts advise you to find a location away from doors, windows, and outside walls–this could be a basement, bathroom, closet, or hallway.
When conditions shift from a tornado watch to a warning, it’s important that you immediately grab your go-bag, get to your point of safety, and cover your head. Stay keen-eyed and remain vigilant after the storm passes. A little preparation, research, and awareness can mean the difference between widespread panic and a story you actually get to tell.
The Only Unplanned Stop Should be for Snacks
At Modern South, we are enthusiastic advocates for road-trips–or any kind of travel, for that matter. As it happens, spring break and the debut of summer–both heavily traveled times of year–occur in tornado season (March, April, May). It’s just as important to be prepared while you travel as it is to be prepared while you are at home.
Before departure, the easiest way to prepare is to check up on your car’s maintenance. Tire pressure, fluids (oil, brake, coolant), lights, and battery are the things I check–or rather what I have my husband check. The last thing you want to be worried about is a smoking engine or a flat tire during one of the South’s, albeit beautiful but infamous, rural stretches of road and limited reception. I also like to keep a small organizer in my car with all my essentials: extra shoes, clothes, a mini go-bag, and my Schumacher Electric 4-in-1portable jumpstarter. With the ability to start even low-voltage batteries, this simple road trip staple has saved my hide more times than I can count.
After the winter storms that hit the South this year, my husband’s car battery was running on prayer and crossed fingers. After spending hours getting ready for our Valentine’s Day dinner and city staycation, we hopped in the car we had driven just hours before to find the battery completely dead. With just minutes to spare before we were set to lose the reservation we had made months earlier, we were elated to pull out our jump starter, flip it into override mode because our battery was that dead, and get on our way. Did I mention it also comes equipped with a wireless charging pad, USB charging ports, and an LED flashlight?
P.S. If you’re looking for a wedding party, birthday, or Christmas gift that says “I care about you more than a gift card or a koozie with my last name on it,” this is the way to go.
If you’re not a Southern native, please don’t let this deter you from coming down to our neck of the woods. Our region is always worth showing up for–the hospitality, charm, food, rustic beauty, and showstopping landscapes are well worth the visit. So, charge your devices (and jumpstarters), pack your snacks, check the radar, and come on down, y’all.
Take your newfound knowledge and implement it with travel inspiration found here.
