Recently, I was waiting in the office of my daughter’s elementary school. I needed to pick her up early for a medical appointment.

A few other parents were also standing around, tapping their feet impatiently as our kids slowly collected their backpacks and coats.

It was raining hard outside, a rare occurrence during this year’s drought. Suddenly, we heard what sounded like a tornado alarm go off in the school. We all looked at each other,...