Page 90 of Through the Storms

“I’m glad they pulled their heads out of their asses,” Sandy said.

“Did you know that only the National Weather Service is allowed to issue tornado warnings?”

“But Lana does it on TV all the time,” Riley said.

“True.” Oakley smiled. “But only after the Weather Service gives the okay. Lana would be in deep trouble if she went on air and tried to issue her own warning.”

“Even if she thinks one is coming?” Chloe asked.

“Even then,” Oakley confirmed.

Chloe frowned.

“On the surface, it sounds dumb, but there is a reason. In fact, the Weather Service doesn’t always issue a warning when they think one might be coming, at least not right away.”

“What the hell, why would they do that?” Riley scowled. “As an EMT, I want all the warning time I can get.”

“That makes sense, in theory, but…” Oakley raised her hand. “Hear me out. Nearly seventy percent of tornado warnings are false alarms.”

As the group stared at Oakley, she could see their wheels turning. Recognition flashed in Chloe’s eyes first. Oakley said, “Chloe, are you getting it?”

“I think I might.” Chloe gave her a slight smile. Not the big smile Oakley had grown accustomed to.

Oakley softened her gaze. “Go on.”

“It’s human nature. Probability,” Chloe said. Riley had turned completely in her seat to face Chloe. “Seventy percent wrong isn’t the greatest odds. People might stop taking it seriously.”

Oakley snapped her fingers. “Bingo. You’ve got it. Most people don’t know the seventy percent number. All they see is that the forecasters are wrong—a lot.”

“Trust breaks down, and…” Riley stopped speaking and shot a glance at Chloe. Riley and Chloe’s cheeks burned red. “I mean, uh, their credibility is shot, so when they hear the warning, they don’t always believe it.”

“Yep.” Oakley held both hands up and moved them up and down in opposite directions as if her hands were a scale. “They must weigh things out. At one point, warning times had grown to fifteen minutes, but they’ve had to start delaying their warnings to try and cut into that seventy percent false alarms.”

“That’s awful. How stressful it must be for the people making the decision,” Chloe said.

“But what about the high risk warning they just issued? Magenta, wasn’t it?” Riley asked. “How does that work?”

“That’s more of a long-term thing. Remember, they talked about probability not an actual warning. Hopefully, it’ll cause people to be on higher alert, so if the warning siren goes off, they’ll be more likely to take cover.”

“But you can’t fix stupid,” Peggy said. “Some people will never seek shelter. They’ll be standing out on their patio and filming with their cellphones.”

Oakley nodded. “I won’t disagree with you on that.”

A thoughtful expression crossed Chloe’s face. “I got the pleasure of talking to Lana earlier.” Chloe paused and met Oakley’s gaze. “You’re a lucky woman. She’s such a lovely person.”

Oakley couldn’t help but smile. “She is.”

“Something she said stuck with me. She said you’re never going to get most people to hide out in their basements for hours on end, so you must find the perfect balance to give themenough time without giving them too much time to become complacent.”

Oakley smiled. “Not only is she lovely, but she’s wise.”

CHAPTER 35

The final light ofthe day was fading as they traveled down I-35. Chloe stretched out her legs but was careful to stay in her own space. Although she and Riley had done well with each other most of the day, as they closed in on their destination, Riley had become distant and stared out the van window.

The day had been relatively uneventful. Oakley had been monitoring the radar and assured them that tomorrow wouldn’t be nearly as calm. Chloe was excited and apprehensive. She’d like to see another large tornado but not if it was in populated areas.

They would be staying in a hotel about forty-five minutes north of Oklahoma City. Chloe’s stomach churned. She guessed they were getting close to their exit and wasn’t looking forward to the awkwardness once they arrived at the motel.