Are You Ready for Severe Weather? Tennessee's Severe Weather Week to Raise Preparedness Awareness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has declared Feb. 15, to Feb. 21, 2015 as Severe Weather Awareness Week to encourage all Tennesseans to make planning and preparing for severe weather a priority.
Throughout the week, emergency managers, health professionals, family advocates and meteorologists will host educational activities and drills across the state to help people prevent injuries and fatalities due to tornadoes, damaging winds, flash floods, lightning and hail.
“We cannot wait until a flood, thunderstorm or tornado is on top of us to act,” said Deputy Commissioner David Purkey of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). “It’s important that Tennesseans be prepared now and be ready to take action when severe weather threatens.”
TEMA will be working across the state to support county-level severe weather preparedness activities, exercises and training.
TEMA will conduct the East, Middle and West regional emergency communications checks on Feb. 17, Feb. 18, and Feb. 19, respectively, through the National Alert and Warning System (NAWAS), a system used to communicate weather warnings and emergency information to county emergency managers and other officials.
TEMA recently upgraded its NAWAS tool to a digital platform that provides satellite and internet backup to transport emergency communications.
A highlight of the week will be the statewide tornado drill at 9:20 a.m., CST, on Wed., Feb. 18, initiated with a special test from the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Central Tennessee office in Old Hickory, Tenn.
In the evening on Wed., Feb. 18, NWS offices in Memphis, Morristown and Nashville will hold a Google Hangout session.
The NWS will focus on severe weather preparedness and specific weather threats highlighted on individual days throughout Severe Weather Awarenss Week.
"Severe weather is possible at any time of the year but especially in the months of March, April and May." said Larry Vanozzi, senior meteorologist at NWS Nashville. "Tennesseans need to stay alert for the possibility of severe weather and be ready to take action when warnings are issued."
NWS will have on-line storm spotter training courses at 6 p.m., on Mon., Feb. 16, Fri., Feb. 20, and Sat., Feb. 21. NWS host a Basic Storm Spotter class at 10 a.m. and then an Advanced Storm Spotter class at 1 p.m. on Sat. Feb. 21, at the Tennessee Tech School of Nursing, West 7th. St. in Cookeville, Tenn.
For more information on NWS classes and to register for training, visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/?n=ohxspotterclasses.
Be Ready, Make a Plan, Have a Kit
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is highlighting the importance for families and individuals to have emergency plans and resources ready, whether for severe weather or other emergencies.
“If we have a plan in any disaster or emergency we and our loved ones are more likely to survive,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “A plan could simply be the few seconds we take to think and tell companions about where we will exit from a building or the tornado drill we have in our own home. Regardless, the evidence is our chances are better if we plan proactively rather than relying on the hope that we will react correctly in the moments during or after a bad thing happens.”
The most important preparedness tip for severe weather is to stay informed to its potential. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV or listen to the radio for weather updates and warnings.
Other severe weather awareness tips and resources include:
· Never venture into high water, either on foot or in a vehicle.
· If you’re outside and hear thunder, go indoors immediately.
· Know the location of and route to your office or building’s tornado shelter.
· Never try to outrun a tornado.
· Have an emergency plan ready at places where your family spends time: work, school, daycare, commuting and outdoor events.
- Emergency plans should include where to meet, and who family members should check in with, if you are separated from family members during a severe weather emergency.
· The website, www.ready.gov, has fill-in-the-blank plans available so individuals and families can assemble the information needed in a personal emergency plan.
The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, through its website, www.kidcentraltn.com, is helping families get ready for the hazards of severe weather with content devoted to severe weather awareness, including what items are important for an emergency kit.
“kidcentraltn.com is Tennessee’s one-stop shop for information about children’s health, education, development, and support,” said Executive Director Jude White. “The Children’s Cabinet is happy that kidcentraltn.com is an avenue for information and communication that empowers families to become even better prepared for severe weather.”
At a minimum, emergency preparedness kits should include one gallon of water per day, per person and per pet, for up to three days. The kit should also have enough non-perishable food for each family member, and pets, for up to three days.
Other items that every kit should include are: a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, personal hygiene items, cell phone charger or solar charger and copies of important family documents.
It is also very important that emergency kits contain extra supplies of medications, especially for those with chronic health conditions.
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