Father Recounts Teen Daughter's Death in Tornado

This story is from the Birmingham News.

Early Monday morning a 16-year-old Clay, Alabama girl was found dead just 40 feet from her home. Christina Heichelbech was one of two people killed by a tornado that touched down near Birmingham. Her father said the family didn't hear the warning siren. ...REST OF THIS STORY HERE

My heart hurts for this family. As a dad of a 17-year-old daughter, this story hits so very close to home.

Folks, please understand that outdoor tornado sirens are mostly not useful due to our homes being well insulated and the fact the tornado siren was invented in a time where air conditioning did not exist. The tornado siren evolved out of the civil defense siren dating back to World War 2. During the 50's, the siren was used for situations such as a possible nuclear attack and then evolved into the present-day use of a tornado siren. While they are effective for people who are outside, they do not serve to alert us indoors or while we are sleeping.

So, what do we do during potentially severe weather? I encourage you to spend a minimum of $30 and get a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio. I will post some links below to help you purchase this life-saving device.

*AmbientWeather.com Weather Radio Reviews* 

*For $46, the Midland WR-300 is a great product*

*Here is the $30 Midland Weather Radio*

I use a Midland-WR100, which is also a $30 product. 

It will wake you up, guaranteed!

*Latest Local Forecast*