How to survive a tornado, and what happens next

This episode of As It Happens explores a range of human and natural resilience stories, from the aftermath of tragedy to the marvels of wildlife survival. In British Columbia, the community of Tumbler Ridge grapples with the emotional aftermath of a school shooting, leading to the decision to demolish Tumblr Ridge Secondary School and rebuild on a new site to support psychological healing. In Tennessee, a new congressional map that fragments Memphis’s majority-Black district sparks outrage and legal challenges, with state Senator Ramesh Akbari condemning the move as a modern-day civil rights regression. Meanwhile, a parasitic wasp has been named after Sir David Attenborough to honor his 100th birthday, celebrating his enduring impact on science and public fascination with nature. In Mississippi, Caressa Wally recounts surviving a tornado by taking shelter in her bathtub, describing the terrifying freight-train roar and the emotional toll of witnessing devastation. In San Francisco Bay, a coyote’s astonishing 3.2-kilometer swim from Angel Island to Alcatraz reveals the species’ surprising adaptability and curiosity. Finally, a flood emergency in Saskatchewan forces farmer Sierra Bassing-Thwaite and her family to evacuate, exposing gaps in insurance coverage and highlighting the emotional and logistical strain of disaster recovery. The episode closes with a campaign to save the 220-year-old mother Bramley apple tree in England, a living symbol of culinary heritage under threat of private sale. The episode underscores how communities respond to trauma, whether from violence, natural disaster, or systemic injustice. Key takeaways include the importance of trauma-informed rebuilding in schools, the urgent need for equitable redistricting, the power of scientific naming as tribute, the life-saving value of tornado preparedness, the ecological significance of coyotes, the vulnerability of rural communities to flooding, and the cultural importance of preserving heritage landmarks. The tone is reflective and empathetic, balancing grief with hope, and emphasizing community solidarity and resilience.