Most of you probably recognize that line from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” In the film, a tornado touches down in Kansas and sends Dorothy and her little dog Toto on a soul-searching trip.

Lately that movie has come to mind as it seemed that everyday destructive tornadoes ravaged a large section of the heartland known as “Tornado Alley.”  The Merriam Webster Dictionary in a rather long-winded (pun intended) definition says, “a tornado is a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land.”  I saw videos of tornadoes that showed them wiping out towns and cities in the Midwest portion of the United States. 

Seeing the footage of people that survived the savage storms sifting through the rubble looking for vestiges of their lives was gut wrenching. First responders spent weeks going from house to house looking for survivors.

Eventually, I began thinking of another line that Dorothy spoke as she clicked the heels of her ruby slippers. “There’s no place like home.” Luckily, most of us live in a place that, at least for now, rarely gets hit by tornadoes.

Unfortunately, according to many scientists global warming has already begun to update weather patterns. Ravaging floods, the increase of destructive tornadoes and the latest report of the coming hurricane season are foreboding. 

According to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the Atlantic hurricane season has an 85% chance of being above normal. Due in large part to the warming of the oceans, hurricanes will be more intense and long-lasting.

Recent studies have shown that while the overall number of tornado days is declining, the number of tornado outbreaks has not diminished. The average annual number of tornadoes has stayed relatively consistent. That means there is a shift towards fewer days but more intense periods of tornado activity.

Scientists are examining the role of climate change in tornado behavior. A warming planet could be creating much more favorable conditions for tornado formation. As temperatures rise, it provides the energy necessary for storms, which in turn, can lead to more tornadoes.

So far, we have been lucky. Since we live in a mountainous higher elevation, conventional wisdom tells us that tornadoes thrive in warm and humid air. In higher elevations, such as in our county, the air tends to be cooler and more stable. For every 1000 feet gained in elevation, there is roughly a drop of 3°F in temperature. Colder stable air at the surface makes it less conductive for tornadoes to form in mountainous areas. 

Even though the chance of a tornado setting down in our area is remote, it is still worth the time to create a disaster plan for your family. Experts say the safest place in your house is the basement or some interior room on the lowest level that has no windows. Develop a family communication plan so every family member knows how to contact one another and where to meet if separated.

 Most importantly is your emergency kit. I have two canvas waterproof bags nearby. I keep basic necessities including bottles of water and nonperishable food. I have a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries and my cell phone with a fully charged external battery source. I also packed a radio with a lot of backup batteries. If I am ever trapped in my house without electricity, I can listen to find out what is going on. I know that eventually Paul Ciliberto will be back broadcasting giving us updates and calming words of encouragement.

If you take daily medications, have a week’s supply handy. Experts suggest that you also protect important documents, such as check books, credit card statements and health records. Preparing a disaster plan and emergency kit teaches you exactly what important items you will need.

For now, we should all feel lucky that our area has not been hit. So, click your heels together three time because “There’s no place like home.”

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.