4 minute read
FINAL FOCUS
Tornado Safety Tips
By Cory Sekine-Pettite
According to a recent report from the AccuWeather Global Weather Center, tornado activity in March surged in the United States. At least 253 preliminary tornado reports were recorded throughout March 2022, the organization states. While the number was preliminary at press time, only 193 of the reports need to be confirmed as actual tornadoes to break the record of 192 confirmed tornadoes in 2017.
For most of March, AccuWeather noted, the contiguous U.S. didn’t go more than three days without a report of a tornado touching down. Violent storms continued into April. In our state, for example, five tornadoes were confirmed in just one day on Wednesday, April 5 resulting in at least one death. Meteorologists and other climate change experts agree that as our climate continues to warm, we will experience more frequent and more ferocious weather. So, now is a good time to remind everyone of a few tornado safety tips, courtesy of AccuWeather:
If you are driving on the road, and see a tornado, do not take shelter under an overpass, and never try to outrun a tornado. If there is no shelter nearby, stay in your car, in your seat belt, and keep your head down below the window. If you can safely get to a low-lying area — such as a ditch or ravine — exit the car, lie down, and cover your head with your hands.
If you are at home, go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
If you live in a mobile home, leave the mobile home immediately because it will provide little to no shelter from a tornado. Instead, go to a community shelter, or get as far away from your mobile home as possible and lie down in a low-lying area.
Those at work or school should proceed to a tornado shelter location quickly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms, such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
Don’t open windows and doors. A popular myth is that if you open your windows and doors, the tornado will cause less damage. Not true: Opening doors and windows only wastes precious time. n
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INNOVATIVE ★ EXPERIENCED ★ LEADERSHIP
“I enthusiastically endorse Chief Judge Rob Leonard’s re-election campaign. As former Chairman of the Cobb County Commission and former Attorney General for the State of Georgia, I know, respect and support Rob Leonard. He is a leader with integrity who finds a way to make sure that everyone receives a fair hearing. I urge all of Cobb County to re-elect Chief Judge Rob Leonard.” - SAM OLENS
Awards
✭ 2021, “The Thomas J. Charron Public Service
Award”
✭ 2021, “Distinguished Judicial Service Award” recipient from the State Bar of Georgia’s Young
Lawyer’s Division ✭ 2021, GACDL “President’s Award” recipient for helping to modernize courts with technology in an effort to keep people safe during the pandemic. ✭ 2020, “Justice Robert Benham Award for
Community Service” recipient ✭ 2020, “Thomas A. Slaughter Award” recipient for service helping people with disabilities break down barriers to employment and gain independence. ✭ 2018, “President’s Award” for his work with the Bench and Bar Committee by past Cobb Bar
President, Judge Kimberly Childs ✭ 2014, Daily Report’s “On The Rise” award recipient honoring the top 40 lawyers in Georgia under the age of 40 ✭ 2013, Cobb Life Magazine’s “Top 20 under 40” publication ✭ 2009-2011, Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” recipient ✭ 2009, “Greatest Trial Victory of the Year” Award recipient ✭ 2006, Recipient of the Cobb Bar Association’s “Ross
Adams Award”
Legal Affiliations and Memberships
✭ Presiding Judge, Cobb County Veteran’s Court ✭ Chairman, Standing Committee on Judicial Workload
Assessment ✭ Chairman, Technology Committee of COVID-19
Taskforce ✭ Member, Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law Inn of Court ✭ Chairman, Cobb Bar Association’s Bench & Bar
Committee ✭ Former President and Member, Cobb Bar
Association’s Criminal Law Section ✭ Former Vice-President, Georgia Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers ✭ Former President, Cobb Bar Association’s Young
Board of Trustees ✭ Member, Marietta Lawyers Club ✭ Member, Atlanta Lawyers Club
Early Voting Starts May 2nd Election Day is May 24, 2022
✭ Judge Leonard is the proud father of three amazing children. He and his wife Katie live in Marietta with their three crazy black labradors.
