Story by Shelley Divnich Haggert
It’s been 18 years since the ice storm crippled Eastern Ontario and Quebec
and 13 years since the Northeastern Blackout. Not quite three years since
record-breaking cold and snow grounded flights and closed schools multiple
times thanks to the ‘polar vortex.’ It’s only been a week since images of flooded
Louisiana filled our screens. And not quite 48 hours ago, not one but TWO
tornadoes touched down in Essex County within minutes of one another, leaving
a trail of debris and destruction that some residents and businesses will be
recovering from for weeks.
Emergencies, caused by weather or other factors, usually take us by
surprise, with little or no warning. Their impact can range from minor disruptions
in our routines to endangering our health and safety. But there are things we can
do to increase our chances of weathering a storm or unexpected event safely.