Be Prepared for Severe Weather

 
 

The spring season is upon us and it’s time to prepare for severe weather.

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said the best thing to do to prepare for severe weather is to be aware of your surroundings. If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter in a nearby sturdy building.

It’s important to listen to radio weather reports for tornado watches and tornado warnings. Avery says the two alerts can often be confused.

“A watch means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to occur,” explained Avery. “A warning means that a tornado has been sighted and reported either to a law enforcement or another emergency response agency or to the National Weather Service. A warning also means that they’ve identified the potential for tornadic activity on their radar so they’ve issued a warning.”

If either a tornado watch or a tornado warning has been issued, take immediate action.

“If you live in a residence with a basement, we encourage people to seek shelter in the basement. If you live in a residence such as a mobile or modular home, we would really encourage you to leave and seek shelter in a more sturdy structure. If you live in a home without a basement and you can’t make it to a sturdier structure, an interior room such as the bathroom away from windows and glass is your best protection.”