Will going back to 'normal' include more stormy skies?

“What are the sirens blowing for?” a friend texted on Wednesday.

The text was an unintentional jab at a news source that should have done a better job of making readers aware that yes, this was Severe Weather Awareness Week, and testing sirens was part of the exercise.

The National Weather Service has done its part, designating each day of the week to focus on dangers such as heat, floods, tornadoes, winds, cold, lightning and even rip currents and hurricanes.

Dramatic events such as tornadoes seem to attract our attention, but McCook residents should also be acutely aware of the danger of drowning, thanks to the dimming memory of the 1935 Republican River flood.

The pandemic robbed us of track and other traditional springtime and summer sporting activities, but the tornado season was also somehow diminished, with only 21 reported in Nebraska, less than half of the 30-year average of 51.

But the friend who texted did have the right idea; nearly everyone has access to the latest weather information via their smartphone, provided they take full advantage right sources.

UScellular offers the following tips:

-- Keep your phone charged up, and carry a car charger or portable battery pack in case the power goes out.

-- Social media sources such as Facebook and Twitter are useful ways to quickly get and share information, get real-time updates and stay in touch with loved ones and let them know you are safe.

-- Yes, texting can be helpful during severe weather. Even if phone service is overwhelmed, texts may still go through.

You can find everything you ever wanted to know about Nebraska’s 2020 severe weather and this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week on a weather.gov publication at https://bit.ly/3clbc6J

And, check out ready.gov for helpful information on planning for any emergency.