When Harding students hear the words “Searcy bubble,” most would automatically think about the Harding niche. It is little known that some people refer to the “Searcy bubble” as a protective tornado-free zone around Searcy.
Wayne Westerholm, deputy director of parking and transportation, said the “Searcy bubble” is a myth and urged students to be cautious, even though tornadoes are rare in Searcy.
“Obviously, the biggest thing is be aware of it,” Westerholm said. “Be aware of what kind of weather you can expect in your environment, particularly for our students who are not from this area and are not used to this weather. It’s a good idea for them to be knowledgeable and to know what to expect.”
Westerholm also advises downloading a weather app on a smart phone and to check several sources instead of relying on just one to stay up-to-date about the weather. Many apps now have predicted weather forecasts, radars and severe weather updates. According to AT&T, AT&T phone carriers are automatically updated with weather warnings with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). WEAs are free text messages sent to phone users about “imminent threat alerts, AMBER alerts or Presidential alerts.” Harding will also send a text message regarding the weather warnings to students.
Junior Kelby Czerwonka is from Joplin, Mo. and said before the devastating tornado in May 2011, many people in Joplin did not take the sirens seriously because of the frequency of tornado warnings and watches in the area.
“Living in that area, you get so used to hearing tornado sirens,” Czerwonka said. “My number one thing would be take that seriously.”
Growing up in Flower Mound, Texas, sophomore Caroline Robertson said during severe storms she and her family would hide in an inner room of their house and take supplies just in case.
“We went to a bathroom underneath the stairs, and we would bring flashlights just in case the power went out, a couple bottles of water and some blankets and pillows,” Robertson said.
Westerholm said using common sense is the most important thing to remember during a severe storm.
“If the warning sirens go off in Searcy, the first thing students need to do is get inside,” Westerholm said. “The worst thing to do is stay outside because you don’t know when the winds are going to pick up, the debris will start flying. Stay away from windows. The inside of our buildings have severe weather maps and most will tell you to go into first floor hallways away from windows.”
