ARE YOU PREPARED?

Are you ready for an emergency? Are you prepared for the unexpected? Regardless if you are or not, it is a good time to check your list and supplies. 

For those unfamiliar with having a emergency plan, please watch the following videos

An informed, involved community is more resilient to disaster, and being prepared helps reduce the risks and costs of hazardous weather events.

Here are a few simple ideas on how individuals, families, businesses, and schools can participate and increase knowledge:

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

  • Create or update emergency plans with your entire family so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Ensure everyone has up-to-date contact info and knows what to do.
  • Practice your family plan. Have everyone build a family emergency kit together.
  • Check with places your family spends time, such as schools, workplaces, churches, markets, or sports facilities to learn what their emergency plans are.
  • Share the plans for these areas with your entire family and talk about what you would do if your family was not together during a disaster.

PREPARE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

  • Involve your neighbors. Help prepare your neighborhood by asking, "What’s our plan?" Talk to your neighbors about their preparedness plans and make sure your plans are compatible. Find out who has special needs and might need help in an emergency.
  • Plan with your neighborhood. Ask your Home Owners Association, your Tenants Group or Neighborhood Civic Association to make emergency preparedness an agenda item during your next meeting. Make sure there is an evacuation plan for your neighborhood, and communicate it to your neighbors.
  • Help neighbors get informed. Host a neighborhood preparedness meeting. Invite your local emergency manager or responders to help lead the discussions.

PREPARE YOUR WORKPLACE

  • Update and distribute emergency contact information to your employees. Additionally, create and distribute a list of important emergency numbers. Designate critical function or emergency personnel.
  • Organize an emergency preparedness procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans. Ensure everyone understands their roles in a "what if?" scenario.
  • Host a disaster preparedness brown bag lunch for employees. Invite local emergency managers to give a disaster preparedness briefing.
  • Get a NOAA Weather Radio and put it on display in your break room or other high-traffic locations and encourage employees to get their own for their homes as well.
  • Put an updated copy of the facility emergency plan on everyone’s desk or in email and have group meetings to review it.
  • Showcase instructional videos or distribute preparedness information. Provide information online about training opportunities.
  • Conduct business continuity training. Contact a local business continuity or emergency management professional and work with company leadership to create or update disaster and continuity plans.
  • Conduct office evacuation/shelter-in-place exercises and drills. Schedule an emergency exercise or drill. Once completed, evaluate and decide if new procedures or training are needed. Consult with local responders or emergency managers to participate, observe or advise.
  • Distribute emergency preparedness messages. Include emergency preparedness messages in communication touch points such as e-mails, newsletter articles, bill stuffers, receipts, and social media.

For More Information About Tornadoes, Severe Weather and How to Prepare, Please Check These Websites:

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Sever Weather Awareness

HOT WEATHER AWARENESS

It is summer and we must be aware of the dangers of extreme heat. Here are a few illustrations to provide you with helpful information.

Heat and Humidity Chart
Heat Safety

Informational Chart and Information

Thunderstorm Risk

BECOME A STORM SPOTTER FROM HOME

Does severe weather interest you? Would you like to learn how to recognize severe weather and be able to report what you see? You can get more information on this by visiting the following links:

Weather.Gov Skywarn Metroskywarn

Last Edited: September 5, 2024