Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 5-11 2017

Spring is almost here and that means it is time for Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 5-11. Preparedness is a 24-7/365 project. With Severe Weather Preparedness Week upon us, we refreshed last year’s post to again remind you to prep for Mother Nature’s worst. The United States is bracing for its worst severe weather months. Though it may feel like this winter has been terrible, on average—when not counting road fatalities due to ice—cold does not kill nearly as many Americans as heat, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods.

Along with longer days, warmer temperatures and blooming flowers, spring also brings late severe snowstorms, snowmelt, thunderstorms, hail, lightning, tornados, hurricanes, flooding, heat waves and wildfires. March 5-11, 2017 is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Severe Weather Preparedness Week. NOAA, ready.gov, and FEMA encourage all Americans to plan and prepare for spring weather disasters. NOAA states on its website that preparing is simple; have a disaster survival kit, an emergency family plan and a NOAA weather-alert radio to stay informed.

“In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” ~Mark Twain

Meteorologists predict more intense weather this year than previous years due to warmer weather spreading throughout more of the United States than normal. This warmer air will cause the atmosphere to be unstable and increase the chances of severe thunder and lightning storms and tornadoes. Paul Pastelok, the lead long-range forecaster for AccuWeather.com says, “I think we’re going to have a lot more tornadoes for the spring season compared to the last couple of years…”

This year NOAA’s preparedness campaign encourages you to “Be a Force of Nature” which entails knowing your risk, taking action and leading by an example in your community.

Cheaper Than Dirt! has all the resources you need to fulfill this role.

Know Your Risk

Read the following severe spring weather posts to learn more about what and how to prepare for the majority of severe spring weather threats.

• Spring and Summer Weather Events
• The Quintessential Preparedness Guide for Severe Thunderstorms
• Winter Isn’t Over: The Top Five Best Winter Weather Prepping Tips
• Three Steps to Take to Prepare for Unpredictable Severe Spring Weather
• Surviving a Wildfire
• Create and Stock a Safe Room
• Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Katrina—Nine Years Later
• Spring Storms Bug-Out Bag Check List

Take Action

If you do not already have one, draw up a detailed family emergency plan. Include meeting points, point of contact, escape routes, establish a safe room and family communications plan. Next, build an emergency survival kit:

• Water
• Water purification tablets or water filter
• Non-perishable foods
• Camping stove
• Fire starter
• Fire extinguisher
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• First aid kit
• Tarp
• Duct tape
• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes
• Prescription medications
• Personal hygiene items
• Signal whistle
• Wrench or pliers
• Copies of important and personal documents like insurance in a waterproof container

Be an Example in Your Community

Share your stories, help others in your neighborhood prepare, volunteer with the American Red Cross, or post this article on your social media feeds.

Share your preparedness stories with us in the comment section and then Tweet your story using the hashtag #BeAForce.

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