Storm Season

(Joplin MO)

I've lived with some wild weather.  Growing up in Oklahoma, I saw my share of severe thunderstorms and the occasional blizzard.  When we moved to west Texas, I learned about dust storms.  In my Arkansas home, I watched an ice storm take out a batch of our lovely trees.  But everywhere I've lived, we've been located in/near tornado alley.

Tornado alley is an area of the US where tornadoes are most likely to form.  The exact location is a bit nebulous but is generally a swatch right down the middle of the country including OK, KS, NE, and TX.  Luckily, large tornadoes are not common, but violent storms also have other dangers:  lightning, flash floods, and hail.  None of these things are good for corgis!

My daddy is a trained storm spotter.  This means he goes to a designated place and watches building storms, reports back to the Emergency Management authorities, and helps keep us informed about the weather conditions.  (This is not to be confused with a storm chaser; those are the guys who go off down the road trying to intercept a tornado...these guys are somewhat insane.)  I feel safer knowing that my daddy is watching out for us, humans and pets.

Let's talk about the things my human parents do to keep us safe during storm season.

1.  Pay attention to weather reports.  People like my daddy who storm spot feed information to the proper emergency authorities who decide when it is appropriate to issue weather watches and warnings.  In many cities (especially those in tornado alley) there are storm sirens which sound when a tornado is imminent...they do not, however, alert us to the other dangers of severe storms.  You should keep your tv and radio tuned to a local station that has reliable weather reports. 

2.  Heed the warnings!  Okay, here is a bit of tattling on my parents:  they both love to watch the clouds and will stand out in the yard while the sirens wail (not uncommon in tornado alley!)  This is, at best, silly and dangerous behavior.  I must say, however, that they usually store us dogs in our storm shelter area BEFORE they go out to watch.  

(Patiently waiting for the humans to move us to the storm shelter.  You can see I look a bit worried.)

3.  Keep your dogs identified.  In case the worst should happen, separating you and your dogs during a storm, you need to be sure you do everything to be reunited with your pets.  Dogs should have ID tags that show their humans' name and a reliable phone number (a house phone may not be reliable in an emergency; most people keep their cell phones handy.)  It is a good idea to have your dogs microchipped as well.

4.  Plan ahead.  If you are paying attention to the weather forecast and hear that a storm is coming, send the dogs out for one last potty break before it gets here.  Dogs shouldn't be outside during pouring rain, lightning, or hail.  A pre-storm potty break can keep nervous dogs from peeing the floor and causing everyone to be upset. 

Before a storm hits, you should already know where you will go for shelter.  An underground storm cellar or basement is always the best choice.  However, if you can't do that, you should have a designated room on the lowest floor of your home, preferably without windows, as near the center of the house as possible.  The idea is to put as many walls as you can between you and the storm.  Blankets or even small mattresses are good for cover while sheltered and can protect you and your doggies from flying debris.  Storing dogs in crates or carriers may also help keep them contained and safe.

5.  Know your canine.  All dogs react differently to storms.  Some dogs, like my neurotic sister Sadie, get so upset they become absolutely frantic.  These dogs need extra reassurance and support during a storm.  They may feel safest sitting in their crate or wearing a thundershirt.  Other dogs, like me and my brother Claude, sometimes get a bit nervous about storms, but we're usually pretty steady.  Claude tends to be more nervous BEFORE a storm; once the storm hits, he's pretty confident that our parents will keep him safe.  And my little sister Lucy poses yet another problem:  she is an epileptic dog and sometimes the stress of a storm can cause her to have a seizure. Be very observant of your doggie if he/she has medical problems.

6.  After the storm.  Be aware of dangers!  High winds and hail can knock down power lines, fences, and tree limbs which could all be a hazard to your dogs.  If you are in an area where flash flooding is possible, be sure your dogs are kept well away from the water; dogs can be washed away in a flood. 

In the event a pet is lost during a storm, you should immediately contact neighbors, vets, and the local dog catcher or animal shelter.  In times of disaster, like a tornado, many animal rescue agencies set up emergency facilities to house found pets so be sure to check with those if you have lost a pet.  And don't forget the power of social media--post that puppy's picture on the internet so people can help you look!

So that's a little about storms.  Right now, during the months of April and May, my area is at highest risk for a storm and we are expected to get some tonight, in fact.  I'm not worried.  My mama and daddy know what to do and have always managed to keep us safe from harm. 

Til next time!

Love ya,

Lily the Corgi

(More from Joplin; my mama and daddy were on a weekend trip in a nearby city and drove through the day after the tornado.  I was glad I didn't go on that trip!)