Plan ahead and decide what to do
With warmer weather comes the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The American Red Cross wants everyone to know some steps they should take to stay safe if dangerous weather is forecast in their area.
Severe storms can produce damaging hail and high velocity wind gusts capable of causing property damage and also dangerous lightning strikes and in some cases flooding.
To minimize damage, make a list of items to bring inside including things that may be broken or blown away in a strong wind. Remove any debris or loose items from around the home, outbuildings and pastures. Branches and firewood can become missiles in strong winds.
Ensure that outbuildings, barns, corrals and pastures that house animals are protected in the same way as your home.
A severe thunderstorm watch means there’s a possibility of severe weather in the watch area. A severe thunderstorm warning means severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Take shelter in a substantial building or basement.
A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar and there’s imminent danger. Move to the lowest floor or interior room of a sturdy building or go to the basement or underground shelter.
Listen to local radio TV or radio stations or tune in to NOAA radio for information and updates. If you hear thunder, you’re close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go immediately to a safe shelter.
Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes or lightning or increasing winds which may be signs of an approaching storm. Tornado danger signs include dark, often greenish clouds, wall cloud, cloud of debris, large hail, funnel cloud and roaring noise.
Draw the blinds and shades over the windows and unplug and avoid any electrical appliances and landline telephones because if lightning strikes, telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Leaving electric lights on does not increase the chances of a home being struck by lightning.
Plan ahead about what to do in case of a weather emergency. Two things to do that will help is to make a kit and make a plan.
Make a Kit
Keep needed supplies in an easy-to-carry container that can be kept in a safe location at home like the basement or take in case of evacuation.
The kit should contain a first aid kit and a seven-day supply of essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents like insurance policies, cell phone chargers, sanitation and personal hygiene items, family and emergency contact information, maps of the area, extra set of car and house keys, extra cash and emergency blanket.
Make a Plan
Meet with family and household members beforehand and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen. Include plans about what to do with pets.
Identify responsibilities for each person and work together as a team. If a family member is away, plan how to respond with them. If someone has a disability, consider developing a comprehensive evacuation plan in advance with family, care providers as appropriate. Create a personal support network to assist.
Choose two places to meet such as a specific safe area outside the home or an area outside the neighborhood in case you’re away from home or have to evacuate the area.
Download Emergency App
People can download the free Red Cross Emergency App to be ready in case of a disaster in their community. They can use the app’s “I’m Safe” button to connect with their loved ones and receive emergency alerts and shelter information. The Emergency App can be found in the app store by searching for “American Red Cross” or by going to redcross.org/apps.
Become A Volunteer
If you would like to become a Red Cross volunteer and make a difference, go to redcross.org/volunteer or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
