On Monday, April 28, a series of violent tornadoes ripped through communities in SE Virginia. Authorities estimated that as many as six tornadoes are responsible for the widespread damage. Striking as they did in the late afternoon probably saved many lives. Most people were working or shopping at the time and many houses were empty. Had the tornadoes struck during the night, casualties and fatalities might have been much greater. Although as many as 200 people were injured in the town of Suffolk, most suffered only cuts or scrapes. A day after the storms, only about a dozen residents remained hospitalized with six people in critical condition. Miraculously, no fatalities were recorded. Many folks were reminded of the importance of planning ahead: where will you go when a tornado hits, in a storm cellar, a room in the center of the house, or even just a bathtub. Wherever, be sure that you have some kind of a disaster kit close at hand.

Although not unknown, this area rarely encounters tornadoes. In this case, however, the tornado zigzagged for about 10 miles and, with its mother storm, ravished a 25-mile slash through central and southeast Virginia. In Suffolk, a city of about 80,000 people, about 140 homes and businesses were destroyed, severely damaged or wrecked to inhabitability. The 138-bed Sentara Obici Hospital was hit by the storm, however, the facility remained fully operational and was accepting patients. In some cases damage was unbelievable. Cars and SUVs were turned completely over or strewn about like wind-blown leaves. Some were even stacked on top one another. The powerful winds actually threw two smashed cars into a shopping center. In Suffolk some roads were still blocked Tuesday. No one knew when residents and business owners would be allowed to return to their properties.

A tornado can cut you off from electricity, friends and neighbors, and your usual sources of food and water. During normal, good times, people rarely think about emergency preparedness. But when disaster strikes, it's too late to prepare. At a time like this, emergency-preparedness-kits, survival-kits and first-aid-kits can make a big difference in helping you and your family to survive for up to 72-hours.