While Maine is not often hit by the types of natural disasters that make the national news ”“ like the devastating category 5 tornadoes, tsunamis or earthquakes that wipe out entire cities ”“ we’ve had plenty of very serious natural events that have destroyed property and taken lives. The wildfires of 1947 took out wide swaths of forests and homes, especially in Waterboro, while the Saco River flooding of 1936 is still legendary. More recently, the Mother’s Day storm of May 2006 and the Patriots’ Day Storm of April 2007 caused widespread flooding and impassable roads, while the ice storms of 1998 and in December 2008 knocked out power to most of the homes in the area and caused widespread tree damage.

Even if a natural disaster only affects a small area, it could be your area ”“ and it pays to be prepared.

The York County Emergency Management Agency joined up with municipal emergency management directors recently to promote education and preparedness in the face of nature’s most violent weather, and we’d like to join them in spreading the message. Most often, when a natural disaster strikes, there isn’t much time to either evacuate or batten down the hatches, so a plan is necessary to avoid panicking into error. It might seem strange to bring up natural disaster awareness after the spring flooding season and harsh winter is over, but summer offers just as many hazards.

As YCEMA Director Kim White-Kaiser noted, the potential for thunder and lightning storms, tornadoes, flash floods and the problems that can come with them ”“ downed trees and electric power outages ”“ abound. John Jensenius of the National Weather Service said there have been 17 confirmed tornadoes in Maine over the past three years. The threat is real, even in the summer, and we urge residents to be educated about what to do when problematic weather hits ”“ and have items at the ready to help them stay safe.

There’s a big difference between a storm watch and a storm warning, for example ”“ a watch just means there’s a possibility for severe weather, so you probably shouldn’t take your boat far out into the ocean, for example, or head out for a day-long hike. A warning means the storm is here, now and you’d better take cover immediately.

Most people know not to stand near or under a tree during a lightning storm, and that “no line is safe to touch, evah,” but there’s lots of other advice for storms that we’d like to help the EMA folks share: Never stay inside a tent or camper during severe winds; pick up any loose items on your property if a storm is expected, as those could become deadly projectiles; and don’t ever attempt to drive or walk across a road that is covered in water. The last piece of advice is perhaps the least often heeded, as local emergency officials noted, since people always seem to think they can make it. Sadly, that’s often not the case. Flood waters can damage the road from below, invisible to motorists, and are more powerful than they seem, with the ability to easily sweep away and drown a person.

Being extra cautious during a serious weather event can save your life and the first step is to have a 72-hour “go-bag” ready for each person in your household in case you need to evacuate. Officials recommend that the kit contain the following: A flashlight, battery-operated radio, batteries, a whistle, cash, sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, a local map, food and water, photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes, a list of drug allergies, extra prescription medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids or other vital personal items, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and extra keys to their car and house.

Taking the time to prepare a kit and be informed about safety procedures during extreme weather events is the best way to ensure an enjoyable summer. It’s not a bad idea to keep a NOAA weather radio with you if you’re planning on outdoor activities this summer, too. That way you can have the peace of mind to enjoy yourself during your summer activities, knowing that you are keeping an eye on the weather, which, as all Mainers know, can change quickly without much warning.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.