We have had our share of rain in April but it could be much worse. We hear almost daily of the damage left behind due to tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and other places.
We recently passed the 21st anniversary of a tornado that left Manila in a mess. It hit in the early hours of the morning of April 16, 1998 (if my memory serves me correctly).
I knew something bad was happening due to the sirens and the warnings but I was not prepared for the sights I encountered at daylight. We were without electricity for some time.
There was a lot of property damage but the worst was the loss of lives and injuries.
After the tornado, it took most of us a long time to not panic every time a cloud came up. Even though we may have eventually calmed down, we should not become complacent.
It seems we have been fortunate the last year or two as far as tornadoes are concerned but we should not forget how fast our weather can change.
We should take weather warnings very seriously. It is a good idea to have a plan of action and if we don't have a storm shelter, know the safest place in our homes.
Caraway is still rebuilding from the tornado of 2013 that damaged much of their main street buildings.
I still remember the tornado of 1968 hitting in Manila. I was living in Blytheville at the time and could not get in touch with my family. It was a long night. There was some damage to the downtown area but not so much as the 1998 storm.
Let's remember our neighbors who have suffered the storms. It takes a long time to rebuild what can be torn down in a matter of minutes.
In all of the turmoil of the tornadoes it did bring out some good. People came out to help with cleanup, and meals were served by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Hopefully, we will have some warm, dry days ahead. I know our farmers are wanting to get in the fields.
I am ready for spring weather before the temperatures go up to the 90s and higher. I like the years when we get a break from the heater and/or air conditioner. Lately, it seems we have to run the heat in the morning and the air in the afternoons. Our weather can change quickly and it is unpredictable. There are some things we cannot change or alter regardless of how advanced our world gets. One of those things is the weather. We have learned to add water for the droughts but we cannot stop the rain.