With the severe weather that has occurred over the past couple of weeks in Southeast Iowa it is important to remind everyone how to prepare for a severe storm. The following tips give you information on how to prepare before a storm hits, as well as ways to stay safe during a storm!
Tips to prepare for a storm:
- Be Ready: Check weather on a regular basis to see if your area is at risk for any severe weather or if your area is under any kinds of watches or warnings. Information can be obtained from the National Weather Service, your local news or local radio station.
- Get Notifications: There are a variety of ways you can do this. It is important to know what notifications are in place in your area. Does your community have a siren? Does your cell provider send alerts for your area? Is there media that sends out the information OR is your area signed up for Alert Iowa? You can find out here: Alert Iowa Information. Van Buren County residents can sign up for Alert Iowa notifications in Van Buren County here. Monroe County residents can sign up for Alert Iowa notifications in Monroe County here.
- Create a plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. The National Weather Service has more information on making a family plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
- Practice: Conduct a drill so everyone knows what to do if there is a thunderstorm or tornado. Don’t forget pets if time allows.
- Prepare Your Home: Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
Tips to stay safe during a storm:
- Stay Weather Ready: Remember “Be Ready” from above, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. Have a battery powered radio on hand in case power is lost.
- At Your House: Go to your planned safe location if there is a severe thunderstorm warning for your area. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching if a warning is issued. Take your pets with you if time allows.
- At Work or School: Stay away from windows. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums. Gather in secure hallways or smaller enclosed spaced on the lowest level of the building.
- In the Field/Outside: Go inside a sturdy building immediately if severe thunderstorms warnings are announced for your area. Sheds, storage units and mobile homes are not safe during a storm. Do not take shelter under a tree, this can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning.
- In a Vehicle/On the Road: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, it is important that you attempt to drive to the closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time- do not try to out-run a storm.
According to the National Weather Service it is important that you be prepared any time storm-730472_1920of year. There are three simple steps they recommend that you can take to be more prepared (each of these have links to their site for additional information on completing each of these tasks):
Build a kit. Your emergency supply kit should have everything you need to sustain you and your family for 3-5 days.
Make a plan. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency is key. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do.
Be Aware. Learn about the hazards that can affect your community, and learn how to get information about current weather and road conditions.
Here at Mossy Oak Properties we want to be sure we pass along information important to you in regards to outdoor recreation, agriculture and home. Check out more information on our Mossy Oak Properties Iowa Facebook page or on our Website found HERE. If you are interested in joining the Mossy Oak Properties- Iowa team you can check out the opportunities available on our website.