Thank, and heed, those who warn us when severe storms strike

There were at least nine tornado warnings issued Monday in Stearns County alone.

Gratitude goes to the National Weather Service staffers, county emergency management personnel, law enforcement, fire department and street maintenance workers.

Finally, praise and thanks goes to the trained spotters who roll into the teeth of the storm to check for tornadoes and rotation in the clouds. These people operate under dangerous and stressful conditions. But their observations often form the basis for the tornado warnings issued by emergency officials.

These warnings are critical to people getting to shelter amid dangerous and fast-moving conditions.

On Monday afternoon and evening, tornadoes were dropping out of the storm clouds quickly. The spotters were relaying the information to the command centers in real time. The warnings followed.

Our residents have a role to play when those warnings are issued.

People must:

2. When a warning is given to seek shelter, don't hesitate. Go to the basement or other safe area. Earlier, take time to have a tornado drill for you and your family to learn or review what to do when the sirens sound. If you are in a mobile home park or public buildings, go to the designated shelter.

3. Don't go jump in your car and head for home when the sirens sound. You are only endangering yourself and others.

4. Heavy storms often lead to flooding, especially on roads and low-lying areas. Monday night saw flooding throughout the area. Many parts of the county received 4 inches of rain. Drivers need to avoid flooded roads. Trying to drive through can lead, at a minimum, to a stranded vehicle and, in the extreme, to the driver and passenger at risk of drowning.

5. Drivers need to be aware of fallen trees, branches and other debris in the road. You need to pay attention and avoid gawking at the surroundings. There may be an obstacle in the road.

6. If police and other emergency workers have put up barricades because of flooding, don't be foolish and drive around the barricades. Stranded vehicles only delay reopening roads.

We also want to thank the Red Cross and other rescue workers who help those who have been displaced by a storm or need to be evacuated.

We hope that the storm will cause all of us to review our safety procedures before bad weather hits again.