Every time the sirens go off in Grand Island, he is painfully aware of the calls to 911 that jam emergency lines in Grand Island. The first thing they should do is get shelter. Kisner said that Central Nebraska has been fortunate to avoid tornado damage recently, and fewer people are paying attention than in the past. Davis said that many Grand Island residents weren't even born when tornadoes inflicted severe damage, injuries and death on Grand Island a couple of decades ago. Getting underground will provide protection and the chance of a good outcome is pretty high.
Parents also protect the lives of loved ones by planning ahead.
Tornadoes in Central Nebraska can strike at any time of the day, including times when people are away from their homes. They need to develop a plan for their children, who might be at a school activity or visiting a friend. The best advice is to stay put and seek the best available shelter. Parents are taking a risk if they out in the storm to get their children or they instruct their children to leave for home. The least safe place during a tornado is inside a car.