15 Movie Characters Who Should've Turned Around

By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross

Rain, rain, go away come again some other day ... like in a year.

The Red Cross has flooded social media feeds for months about the importance of #TurnAroundDontDrown (thanks for the campaign, National Weather Service)! So much so I think it's safe to say you might be sick of hearing it.

To add some cheer to the drenched residents of Texas and to play off of the infamous hashtag, here are 15 movie characters who should've just listened and turned around. 

15. Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"
Why did Melanie check out the attic alone when she knew there were killer birds out there flapping around? Don't ever investigate a noise in a thriller movie!

14. Tobe Hooper's "Poltergeist"
White noise coming from a television in the middle of the night? Little Carol why did you put your hand out?! Always pretend to be asleep and then tell your parents to hit the road tomorrow! Yikes!

13. Steven Spielberg's "Jaws"
A classic movie that terrified viewers with two notes, but Brody wanted to chum the waters. Why didn't you chug that tug boat to shore warp-speed after seeing the monster? You're crazy. 

12.  Joe Johnson's "Jumanji"
Yes, we understand you had to finish the game to end the nightmare, BUT after being thrown into a monsoon with a giant crocodile, why didn't you just say, "nope, I'm done, I need to get the rest of my life together!" 

11. Disney's "Little Mermaid"
Every time you watch Ariel give her voice to the sea witch, Ursula, you feel anxious. WHY WOULD YOU TRUST AN OCTOPUS?! Do you know how much easier it would've been to nab your prince had you just turned around!? 

10. Roland Emmerich's "The Day After Tomorrow"
New York City is under another world altering natural disaster? NOPE. It never ends well! And who wants to freeze to death and dig their way out of snow piled up as high as skyscrapers? 

9. David R. Ellis's "Snakes on a Plane"
Um, I can deal with spiders, but slimy no leg slithering poisonous snakes falling out of every nook and cranny from an airplane? I don't think so. I hate heights and flying for that matter, but I would've grabbed a parachute and floated my behind right back down to snake-free ground. Peace out! 

8. William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" 1973
If I saw anyone who could turn their head around without the use of their neck ... I wouldn't be wasting any time on trying to save their souls -- bye, Felicia. 

7. David Yates's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" 
You can't have a list without the Harry Potter series. I couldn't let it happen. I'm glad they didn't turn around, and I'm happy they beat that bully Voldemort. (#HarryPotterForever) But, in order to include them with this list, here's Longbottom's scene with all those greasy death eaters. 

6. Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice"
You're trying to tell me none of the Deetz's were scared when Barbra and Adam stretched their faces? It makes my eye sockets burn just thinking about it ... 

5. Colin Trevorrow's "Jurassic World"
No spoilers in this clip, but when the boys find the broken fence to investigate ... and then "Hello, super giant dinosaur"... Nope, nope, nope! Dinosaur + me in a small moving cube = definitely to the NOT. 

4. Jonathan Demme's "The Silence of the Lambs"
Hannibal Lecter and his pack of misfit friends were beyond creepy. Clarice, when you left the jail you never should've looked back. The lotion does not do good for the skin.

3. John Hughes's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
Poor Cameron, never should've let Ferris convince him to take out his dad's Ferrari. Then, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to knock it off its stand.

2. Howard Deutch's "The Great Outdoors"
Chet you should've just stayed home and forgot going to Wally's cabin. You had to have known the bald-headed bear was going to come looking for revenge!

1. Disney's "The Lion King"
Simba, why-oh-why did you have to go to Scar? Do you know grown adults still tear-up when your father, Mufasa, dies! Why couldn't you have just turned around!!!  

If ever in a pickle and you're not sure which direction to take, remember all of these fools who didn't turn around and ask yourself, "could this be turned into a GIF?"

There's a moral to every story, and you don't want to be the example. Don't attempt to drive through flooded streets and moving water, your life is much too valuable. Always remember turn around don't drown!

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How Can You Be A Force Of Nature?

by Carmen Wright, volunteer contributor

As we have all experienced in the last few weeks, weather patterns in Texas can be unpredictable. Prepare yourself for all the severe weather we see here in North Texas—tornadoes, droughts, flooding, and even snowstorms—by joining the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) campaign to  “Be a Force of Nature” by taking the following steps:

STAY INFORMED:

•    Visit www.weather.gov
This site has it all: an interactive map of the U.S. that provides forecast for the entire country or just your little corner of Texas; active alerts so you know what is going on right now; maps showing air quality and rainfall; maps of weather history; radar of current weather systems and other data.

•    Check out STATE OF THE CLIMATE
I admit I did not know this site existed, but now that I know I’ve turned into a complete weather nerd. It provides helpful summaries, maps, and graphs of weather trends in the U.S. You can read the report for January 2015 and see how we started the year or go back and see national monthly percent area for drought since 1900!

•    Follow weather on Social Media
Let’s be honest; if you can have time to follow tweets for #foodiebandnames (one of my favorites is Nine Inch Kales), then you have time in your life for helpful tweets from the National Weather Service and NOAA.

•    Get the Red Cross Tornado App
Get real-time tornado alerts and warnings on your phone, take a quiz to see how prepared you are, get access to 63 years of tornado history, and learn what to do before, during and after a tornado.

PREPARE YOURSELF:

•    Make a disaster supply kit
At the very least this should include one gallon of water per person per day for three days, flashlight, three-day supply of non-perishable food, whistle, first aid kit, battery powered or hand-cranked radio, a NOAA radio, extra batteries, wrench or pliers, local map, moist toilettes, manual can opener, and cell phone with charger.

Have a Family Emergency Plan
 Being prepared is great, but make sure you have communicated plans to family members on where to go for safety, how you will contact each other, how you will find each other, and what you will do in different situations.  Also consider your bigger family: your community. If your work, school, or place of worship does not have an emergency plan, volunteer to help create one. Finally, don’t forget to include your pets in your plans!

LIVE LONG and BE PREPARED! 

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Driving Safe in Winter Weather

It's been a snowy, slushy, icy, gross week in DFW. During bad weather, we always encourage people to avoid unnecessary travel if possible, but if you must drive, please do so carefully! Follow these helpful tips from our friends at the National Weather Service!

If you know you have to head out in hazardous conditions, put an emergency kit in your car, just in case! Here's a reminder of what should go in your emergency car kit.

Stay warm & dream of spring!

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National Weather Service Urges Preparedness as Second Storm Season Approaches

by Anita Foster, Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross North Texas 

As we saw with the tornadoes and storms that hit the Great Plains this past weekend, severe weather isn't just for spring. In fact, we're entering into what’s known as the second severe storm season of the year. Yes, there really is a second storm season! To learn more about this topic and others, I sat down with Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist in Charge, at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas for a conversation about—well, the weather. 

Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist in Charge, NWS

Winds & Floods

“People need to plan now for upcoming storms that can be just as strong as what we see in the spring,” said Bradshaw. “Typically, we hit a second storm season around September and October. While the storms aren’t as frequent, they can have the same deadly results as we saw this year in Granbury and Moore, Oklahoma.” 

Bradshaw points out that one of the biggest concerns during the fall severe storm season, in addition to wind and hail, is flooding. “We tend to see the biggest flood events happen in the fall, especially when we’re in drought seasons, which we are in now here in this area. Unfortunately, most droughts end in floods.” Stay flood safe this season by following these tips. 

An Unusual Pattern

Coming from western Oklahoma, Bradshaw is accustomed to communities being ready for big supercell thunderstorms, but here in North Texas, the past two years have been eye-opening. 

“We’ve had everything from large hail, damaging winds, even 10-20 tornadoes at a time here in North Texas just in the past two years,” Bradshaw reflected. “The images of 18-wheelers flying through the air and the neighborhood in Granbury pretty much leveled—that’s the kind of weather that hits this area about once a decade so it’s been unusual.” 

Because Mother Nature has a mind of her own, it’s critical that North Texans do make severe weather plans while the sky is blue. One area to talk about ahead of time is what to do if you’re kids are at school and severe weather is approaching. 

Schools & Preparedness

“After seeing what happened when the tornadoes hit the schools in Oklahoma, it’s clear there aren’t easy answers about what parents should do,” said Bradshaw. “But 99 out of 100 times, schools are safer than most places.” 

Bradshaw encourages everyone to think through what they would do if their kids are in school before the storm approaches. “Talk to the schools ahead of time, be sure they have a tornado plan. Comfort yourself with that information because it will help you to know that the school has your kids best interests at heart and that they know what to do to keep them safe.” He goes on to say that chaos can actually be created if everyone rushes to schools to pick up their kids. “If everyone descends on the schools, suddenly there’s a massive traffic back-up with a storm coming. You don’t want to lose those precious moments to stay safe.” 

If you’re kids school isn’t as prepared as you would like, point them to this reference page to help them be even better prepared before the next storm. 

Driving & Tornadoes

One frequently asked question we get at the Red Cross is if you should get in your car and drive somewhere if a storm is coming and you don’t have a safe shelter. Bradshaw gave great advice on the subject: 

“If you don’t feel safe where you are, and you are confident you have time, get in your car and drive to a safe place.” But he also warns that you should never leave during the storm. Once a tornado warning has been issued, it’s too late to make an alternate plan. “Identify, in advance, exactly where you’re going to go. But when in doubt, stay put.” 

CASA Radar Initiative

While we’re busy preparing as families during National Preparedness Month, the National Weather Service is doing the same as an organization with the new CASA Radar Initiative. In a nutshell, this complex radar system moves radars closer to the ground so that meteorologists can see the evolution of rotation. “We’re hoping to have about four of these new radars by the fall,” said Bradshaw. “By seeing the rotation closer up, we have better tools to warn the public.” 

If you’ve got six minutes to spare and like us, have a fascination with the weather, check out this awesome video about the new CASA radars. It features some of our favorite meteorologists including Rebecca Miller, David Finfrock and Larry Mowry. 

It’s Not “If,” But When

It was eerie to hear Bradshaw state the same thing we do every day at the Red Cross, and it’s why we talk to you so often about preparedness….it’s not a matter of “if” the Metroplex will be impacted by a storm system like the one that hit in Moore, Oklahoma, it’s just a matter of when. 

“The toll that a storm system like that would take on this densely populated Metroplex is immeasurable,” said Bradshaw. “We have well over six million people in the metropolitan area. The impact of an EF-4 or EF-5 tornado would be massive.” 

Before an emergency, work with your family to develop your comprehensive tornado safety plan. 

Prepare Now

Whether tornadoes, floods, heat waves or the unknown, we can all do our part to prepare. Take some time to create a checklist of things that you and your family should do in the event of an emergency. Things like packing a disaster supplies kit or talking about your family communication plan. If you’re getting ready for work or school in the morning and you hear that severe weather may be possible during the day, stick close to your radio, internet connection or mobile device. Follow @RedCrossDFW, @NWSFortWorth and your favorite meteorologists on Twitter for real-time information during storms. Think about what you’ll do if you’re in a mobile home, caught out on the road or separated from your family. 

The American Red Cross has a wealth of information on how to prepare at www.redcross.org. You can also visit the National Weather Service to check out the daily weather at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd. 

To follow the American Red Cross's response to the tornadoes in Nebraska and Iowa this weekend, follow @neiaredcross and @GreaterIA_ARC on Twitter.

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Buckle your seat belts, this may be a rough ride... at least I see a light at the end of the tunnel

I was engaging in my daily ritual of preparedness reading when I stumbled upon this article. It mentions that "a wetter-than-usual winter and a jet stream ripping over the part of the country known as tornado alley could lead to an active spring -- perhaps starting with the strong twister that nicked a small part of western Oklahoma town Monday night."

Wait... it's already tornado season?

Oh me! Oh my! Whatever shall we do?!

For starters, we should run out and buy a weather alert radio.

In yet another glorious partnership, CBS 11 and TXA 21 have partnered with Midland Radio Corporation to offer NOAA weather radios for sale at a reduced price at all 168 Dallas/Fort Worth area Walgreens stores. A portion of the purchase price from each radio sold through June 30 will benefit the local chapters of the American Red Cross.

"We're committed to keeping North Texans safe when severe weather strikes," said CBS 11's chief meteorologist, Larry Mowry. "Timely, accurate information can save lives. Weather radios are especially important when people are asleep, as overnight storms can do and spawn tornados."

I know - fabulous idea! Why didn't I think of it first?

So run out - preferable not in the torrential downpour some of us experienced today - and get your very own weather alert radio, master of preparedness.

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Texas Tornado Tears Through Theaters on Thursday (say that five times fast)

The American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter blew into a nearby theater last Thursday with the sold out release of “F5.” The 18-minute movie focused on the possibility of an F5 tornado tearing through North Texas. In honor of the success, here are a few tips and facts from the Red Cross fact sheet. The National Weather Service also created a vast tornado Q&A section here.

Most North Texans are familiar with tornados. I lived through the 1993 Mother’s Day tornado in Wylie. Now every time there is a bad storm I tend to grab my flashlight, battery-operated radio, computer and cell phone and head to a closet under my staircase (husband in tow).

Before you pull your mattress off the bed or hide in the closet, it is important to know the difference between tornado watches and tornado warnings. A tornado watch means that tornados are possible in and near the watch area. At this point, it is important to review and discuss your emergency plans, check supplies and your safe room. On the other hand, a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. These indicate imminent danger. You should head directly to your basement, storm cellar or an interior room immediately.

Keep an eye out for tornado danger signs such as dark, often greenish clouds. A wall cloud, cloud of debris, large hail, funnel cloud and roaring noise are often consistent with tornados too.

Go indoors; preferably to an underground shelter, basement, or safe room. Since most North Texans don’t have those, a small windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.

Once you have “weathered the storm” register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site, or call 1-866-GET INFO to let your family and friends know you are safe.

And now for your viewing pleasure, F5 (in two parts).

 

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