Severe Weather Chances Means Preparedness is Key

tornadoThese past few weeks have had the potential for severe weather in our area so it might be a good time to brush up on some safety tips for these types of situations. Being prepared is the best solution to whatever mother nature can throw at us. Whether it is severe thunderstorms with the potential of tornadic activity or the remnants of a coastal storm such as a hurricane that could cause heavy wind damage and flooding you need to be able to assess the situation and act accordingly. 
 
Severe thunderstorms can bring a whole host of problems that you need to be prepared for. While not every severe thunderstorm will produce or have the ability to produce a tornado you need to know what to do in the event that it does. Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and warning is a good thing to know as well. A tornado watch is issued when the possibility of a tornado forming is possible. A tornado warning is issued when the threat of a tornado is either already occurring or the chance that one will occur is extremely high. If a tornado warning has been issued for the area you live in then you should immediately head to a safe space. This safe space should be a designated shelter area, a basement or an interior room of your home with no windows and that is located on the lowest floor. If you are in a high rise building then head to an interior hallway on the lowest possible floor that you can get to. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the safe space is and that you have a plan to take your pets with you if it is possible. Time is key when it comes to preparing for a severe weather event. If you know that inclement weather is in the forecast then make sure that your companion animals are brought in from the outside and that any debris or loose items are secured so that they do not pose a danger if bad weather is to arrive.
 
Along with severe weather comes the potential for flooding. Flooding can also occur in other situations like melting snow, hurricanes and repeated days of constant rain. Just like tornados there are flood watches and warnings that you need to pay attention to so that you can stay safe during these events. A flood/flash flood watch occurs when a flood is possible. A flood/flash flood warning is when a flood is already happening or will happen soon so you should take immediate precautions to protect yourself and your family. During a flood event you should be prepared to evacuate if necessary and be sure to know the safest route you can take to head to higher ground or an existing shelter location. Be sure to have an emergency preparedness kit that has food rations, a water supply, a first aid kit and a medication supply if necessary for the members of your family. As time goes by be sure to swap out any expired product from your kit to keep it up to date. If you have pets be sure to prepare a kit for them too so that you can tend to them in an emergency case. These emergency kits are key to keeping your family safe for a period of time until emergency officials can get to your location or until services can be restored. 
 
Lightning is often associated with severe weather and should be treated as a threat whenever it is present. You should avoid bathing or showering during a lightning event since the charge from a strike can travel through the plumbing. Avoid use of electrical devices for at least thirty minutes after the last sight of any lightning. If you are outdoors then you should seek shelter immediately if you can. 
 
Wind damage associated with storms can be mitigated if you are smart and you secure your items well before the severe weather hits. Anything loose on the ground can become a projectile and possibly cause harm and damage. Keeping up on the pruning of your trees and vegetation will help eliminate the possibility of dead branches falling on structures. If the trees are strong and have less dead branches then the chance of falling branches gets minimized. 
 
For more information on what to do before, during and after a weather or any type of emergency head to www.redcross.org.