Pearl River County is fortunate to have dodged the severe weather that passed through the southeast over the weekend.

Initial reports stated our area was projected to be in the path of this storm, possibly putting a damper on the weekend’s festivities. The storm took a different path than was predicted.

However, not every southeastern community was so lucky.

Reports from Mississippi communities north of Pearl River County affected by the storm state the weather event brought flooding and suspected tornadoes.

The saddest news is the death of a 9-year-old girl who was swept away by floodwaters in Yazoo County. Thoughts and condolences go out to the family of this young person.

Seven minor injuries were reported as a result of a suspected tornado in Covington County. The suspected tornado is also responsible for the loss of several homes. As a result, about 40 people are now without a place to live.

A life was also lost when an Alabama resident drove into floodwaters near Atlanta.

Injuries were also reported in North Carolina, while flooding was reported in several areas across Mississippi and other parts of the southeast.

In the Picayune area, the weather was comparatively mild. The skies this weekend were dark, but never dropped the amount of rain that fell across other parts of the state and country.

Sure, the county dodged the bullet this time, but like change, weather is constant. The best thing anyone can do is be prepared for floods, tornados and hurricanes, because they will eventually happen again.

Pearl River County has had more than its fair share of weather related disasters. Who can forget Hurricane Isaac, the Christmas Day tornado of 2012 and of course Hurricane Katrina?

There is no disaster-free place to live in this world. Each region has some sort of potential natural disaster that poses a threat to life, be it hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes or floods. The best course of action is to prepare for the inevitable.