How can you be sure that the storm shelter you choose will protect your family from such extreme weather? Look for proof of certification.

Any time strong thunderstorms form, microbursts are a possibility. Because tornadoes and microbursts are so hard to predict, you may have a very short time to seek shelter.

When choosing a storm shelter, be sure to examine the benefits and costs of above-ground versus below-ground models. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Climate change theorists point to severe weather, like tornadoes, as definitive proof of mankind’s effect on the ecology. Meteorologists tell us that improved tools and better forecasting are saving lives when bad storms strike.

But what’s really happening? Who’s right?

The best way to survive a tornado is to have a well thought-out plan, prepare ahead of time, and make sure everyone knows exactly what to do. The effort is well worth it, because some things just can’t be replaced.

Tornadoes can form at any time of the year, in most areas of the United States — not just in the region known as Tornado Alley. Make sure you’re prepared.

You may think the EF rating (EF0 through EF5) indicates the size of a tornado. If so, you’d be wrong.