Severe Weather Awareness Week: Preparation for Severe Weather

severe weather

March 2nd – 8th has been declared Severe Weather Awareness Week.  The snow on the ground right now is throwing me off a bit! I have had to remind myself that Spring really is right around the corner and so is the possibility of severe weather.  Hopefully Mother Nature will give us a break and deliver blue skies and sunshine for the rest of the year! Just in case, here are some tips to make sure you and your home are ready for severe weather:

  1. Have a Severe Weather Kit: This doesn’t have to be something official; it can be a storage container, shoe box, etc. Make sure you can fit it into an easily accessible place like the hall closet or utility room. Start filling this box with the following items:
    1. Batteries
    2. Flashlights
    3. First-aid supplies
    4. Blankets
    5. Bottled Water
    6. Cell Phone Charger
    7. Non-perishable food items
    8. Copies of your insurance card, social security card, etc.
    9. A pair of work gloves
  2. It is always a good idea to charge your cell phone before any severe weather in case there is a power outage.
  3. Make sure you have a way to get severe weather updates / warnings. Do not rely on sirens because those were designed to be heard outdoors so you may not hear them inside or if you are sleeping.
    1. NOAA Weather Radio
    2. Texts Alerts – often free through your local news station
    3. Mobile Apps – Storm Shield, WeatherBug, etc.
  4. Once you are aware of severe weather in your area, take action!
Tornado Warning Thunderstorm & Lightening Flooding
Go to your basement or lowest part of your home Get inside a home, building, or hard top vehicle If you live in an area with a high flood risk elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel in your home
If you don’t have a basement go to a closet, bathroom, or more central room If possible unplug any electronic equipment before the storm Install check valves in your home to prevent flood water from backing up into your drains
For added protection cover yourself with blankets, pillows, etc Secure outside doors and shutter windows, close window blinds, shades or curtains Set up barriers to prevent flood water from entering your home
Stay away from doors and windows If you are driving or walking and water is covering a roadway or sidewalk turn around do not drive or walk through the water
Evacuate mobile homes and go to a nearby building

Let’s all stay safe and have a happy, brighter, and hopefully WARMER Spring!