The NBC 5 Weather Experts have complete control of the new S-band radar.
Faster, more accurate information constantly streams into the Weather Center so meteorologists will be able to give more warning when dangerous weather is approaching.
For Primrose School in Plano, that speed and accuracy is critical.
In a severe weather situation, it takes some coordination to get children as young as 6 weeks old to a safe spot. The ultimate goal is to secure students and staff in five minutes or less.
The 2-year-olds bring their toys and huddle into a bathroom. Teachers have to keep them distracted while singing a happy song. Meanwhile, the 5-year-olds, who have done this before, line up in the hallway.
Infants love routines, but a tornado drill can happen at nap time, playtime or lunch. To evacuate the infants, four babies are places in a crib and wheeled into an interior bathroom.
“It can be challenging because, of course, we are doing different things throughout the day," infant teacher Janee Redd said. "They could be eating in a highchair and you have to take them out."
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Susan Andersen, the Executive Director at Primrose School of West Plano, oversees the severe weather drills and would love more warning in life threatening weather events.
“Time is of the essence when you have Mother Nature, and never knowing exactly what her wrath might be," she said. "So when you are working with children and its your responsibility to keep them safe you just want to make sure that you have everything in place and as much warning as possible."
Lives are precious and every parent wants to know their children are safe and sound when threatening weather strikes.
“I'm not too concerned about anything else," said Huey Pfeiffer, a mother of two. "Items can be replaced, but people can’t so I just want them to be safe.”
