Tornado warnings 'not taken lightly' at Kingsville business with robust emergency plan

Tornado warnings are taken seriously at Anna's Flowers, a greenhouse in Kingsville that saw some minor damage a few years ago when one touched down.

When last Saturday's warning rang throughout the glass structure, general manager Marlene Mastronardi sprang into action.

Customers were "nonchalantly shopping," she said, but there was no hesitation when she and her senior staff approached them and asked that they leave for the boiler room a few hundred feet away.

"I drove through the outcome of a tornado," said Mastronardi, recalling what she saw years ago.

"Just seeing the destruction, like the trees down, someone could seriously get hurt."

That memory, plus the tornado the greenhouse experienced, led her to want to be as prepared as possible for such weather emergencies.

"It's not taken lightly," she said.

In case of emergency

The tornado warning last Saturday persisted for 25 minutes before downgrading to a severe thunderstorm watch.

There have only been three warnings issued in the past three years, including the warning on June 1 this year.

A warning is issued when a weather event is about to happen, or is already happening, explained Crawford Luke, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

In Saturday's case, the tornado likely fell apart before it reached Point Pelee, said Luke.

Even though nothing happened, Steve Laforet, an emergency preparedness coordinator with the City of Windsor, said warnings are to be taken seriously.

"If you remember back a couple years ago, we had two tornadoes touch down in the area," said Laforet. "And those came without a warning."

He said people should stay away from windows and find their way to either a basement or a lower floor.

Laforet also suggested thatpeople have a 72-hour emergency kit with enough supplies to be self-sufficient for that amount of time, in case emergency responders are not able to come to their rescue immediately.

As for Mastronardi, her senior staff are well-versed in steps they need to take in case of a weather emergency. Staff also have access to a floor plan of the property, so they're aware of exits and safe spots.

She strongly recommends all businesses develop such a plan, and to communicate with staff about their responsibilities in case of an emergency.

"Tell them not to worry about all the things that they will feel obligated to worry about, their safety is of utmost importance," said Mastronardi.

"And make sure they have a physical layout of a plan, to keep themselves, and customers and their colleagues, safe."