I saw a tweet from the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NWS Norman, Rick Smith’s (@ounwcm) personal account that said:
“Just performed the ceremonial removal of the ice scraper/snow brush from my car.”
This reminds me of something that has been on my mind for a week or so about spring weather. As the snow and cold weather moves out, in many areas of the country, it is time to pay greater attention to severe weather. It may be severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, or even tornados. While these always have a threat of occurring, many of these different threats peak during the spring. This is the time for us to take the time to Know Our Risk, Take Action and Be a Force of Nature.
1. Know Your Risk: Every year, we seem to be caught off guard by the disasters that are somewhat recurring for an area or predicted by the National Weather Service. Sometimes we simply ignore the warnings and think that the disaster won’t happen to us. Now would be a good time to think about the dangers for your area. Is your area prone to severe thunderstorms? Is your area prone to tornados? Do you live in a flood zone? If you know what the risks are, you can plan well ahead of a threat before it is even forecast.
2. Take Action: Once you know the risk, think through a plan. Where is your link up point if you are ever separated from family members? Where is the safest place in your home in the case of tornado? Do you have a survival kit ready is a severe storm hits your area—flashlights, water, first aid, etc.? The action you take now may save your life one day, or simply just make it more bearable.
3. Be a Force of Nature. Once you have prepared yourself for potential threats, help others to do the same. It may not be your home that is hit by the next tornado—but it might be the elderly woman down the street. It may be the family next door, look for ways to help others! Also, many communities have Disaster Preparedness Classes available through FEMA, the Red Cross, and many local agencies. Take part in these—they are a great way to get to know the community and the threats that are present.
It is spring time and before long the tornado sirens will be sounding, the rain will be pounding, and the lightening will be flashing. Take time today to consider how to prepare.
For more detailed information check out the National Weather Service Spring Preparedness Page: http://goo.gl/WEA1Go
(Photo: April 10, 1979 Wichita Falls, Texas; Credit: NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)