National Severe Weather Preparedness Week – March 3 thru 9, 2013

Make a plan – Be Prepared!

When severe weather strikes, the difference between life and death can be summed up in as little as two words: Being prepared!

Making a plan for what you and your family will do when severe weather strikes is an important step in being prepared and building a Weather-Ready Environment.

As part of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Manager Agency (FEMA) are attempting to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of severe weather.

Every year, individuals are killed or seriously injured by various types of severe weather, despite advance warning. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual.

Know your risk: The initial step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather than can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast frequently.

Pledge and take action: Take the “Pledge to Prepare.” When you Pledge to Prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. These include:

• Developing a family communications plan,

• Putting an emergency kit together,

• Keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and

• Getting involved.

While there are basic elements that should be a part of any plan, it’s important to also tailor your plan to the individual needs of you or your family. This is especially important for the elderly or those with disabilities or special medial or dietary needs.

As part of tailoring your plans, consider working with others to create networks of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers who will assist each other in an emergency. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.

Preparation is not just for grown-ups. Have your children participate and learn how to protect themselves and how they can help their family stay safe.

Be a Force of Nature by preparing for severe weather. It’s a matter of life and death.