When the familiar sound of McHenry’s tornado siren went off at 10 a.m. March 1, it was another reminder that spring is here. It also reminded me that it’s time to brush up on my storm preparedness.

That thought returned Saturday night when the wind was howling and the thunder was rumbling. I was thankful that we just had our big maple trees and giant oak trimmed. No doubt there would have been a lot of branches down otherwise.

Then, of course, we got enough snow that it needed to be shoveled again. Ah, spring.

As much as I like to get past the months of snow and ice, I really don’t like severe weather. Of course, it just goes with territory here in the Midwest.

I’ve more than once admitted to being a bit of a weather wimp. When I was a child, my parents used to chide me for my great fear of storms. Mom was not one to allow scared children to hide out on her bed. I had to tough it out by hiding under my own covers.

Later, my co-workers used to tease that I would be voted most likely to hide under my desk during a tornado warning. After a while, I’d grit my teeth and hunker down near the police scanner so that I could still do my job despite my angst.

Needless to say, I didn’t watch the movie “Twister” when it came out, nor am I likely to watch it anytime soon.

Still, as an adult and now a caregiver, I don’t have time to give in to fear of coming storms. After all, I must make sure my husband, Tony, remains safe and sound.

That means taking steps to be ready in the event of an emergency and making sure our go bags are packed and within reach.

A lot of information about getting prepared is available on the McHenry County Emergency Management’s website at McHenryAware.com. There you’ll find information how to get text alerts, how to use the county’s 211 system and help for putting together an emergency kit.

The National Weather Service (www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html) also offers these helpful tips:

• At home, practice a family tornado drill at least once a year.
• Store protective coverings (mattress, sleeping bags, heavy blankets, etc.) in or next to your shelter space.
• Avoid windows.
• Get in the basement or under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench) or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag.
• Know where very heavy objects (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) rest on the floor above and do not go under them.
• If you do not have a basement, go to the lowest floor and into an interior room. A closet or a bathroom is recommended.
• If you’re in a vehicle, remember that they are easily tossed and destroyed by tornadoes. Take shelter in a sturdy building. If that’s not possible, lie flat in a low spot or ditch as far from the road as possible to avoid flying vehicles. Do not park under a bridge or underpass.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests that families have enough food, water and supplies on hand to go for at least 72 hours.

Several websites provide useful information about how to build a “go kit”:

• FEMA: ready.gov
• American Red Cross: redcross.org
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: noaa.gov

Historically, most of the tornadoes in Illinois occur from March to June. However, we all know they can happen at any time. These days, with an increase in severe weather just about everywhere, the likelihood of something happening here becomes more of a real possibility.

It’s always better to be ready … just in case.

• Joan Oliver is the former Northwest Herald assistant news editor. She has been associated with the Northwest Herald since 1990. She can be reached at jolivercolumn@gmail.com.