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A man cleans his house gutters before a storm comes.
Severe thunderstorms are forecasted to increase in intensity and will impact a significant portion of the Midwest, starting Friday afternoon and continuing into the weekend.
Regions including the mid and lower Mississippi Valley, as well as parts of the Ohio Valley, should anticipate widespread damaging winds with gusts ranging from 70 to 90 mph, alongside the potential for large hail up to the size of baseballs, according to the National Weather Service. Moreover, a tornado outbreak is a possibility in the Deep South and Gulf States on Saturday.
In light of the impending severe weather, organizations such as the American Red Cross are urging individuals to take proactive steps in preparing for emergencies.
Stephanie Fox, media relations lead at the American Red Cross, emphasizes the importance of preparation. “Being ready in advance can greatly enhance your comfort and ability to respond when an emergency arises. It equips you with the knowledge of necessary actions,” she stated.
Given the escalating threat from this major storm system, here’s an overview of essential preparations for dealing with storms.
Secure Your Home
Prior to a storm, it’s advisable to trim trees and remove overhanging branches adjacent to your home. Doing so can help prevent damage from falling limbs during high winds, potentially lessening the impact on homes, vehicles, and utility lines, or even preventing injuries. This preparation can also mitigate the risk of trees being uprooted.
In addition to tending to trees, the National Weather Service recommends securing loose items, ensuring windows and doors are closed, and relocating valuable possessions indoors or to a sturdy structure.
Stay Informed
Individuals residing in areas at risk of severe storms should stay informed about the weather conditions through various sources. This can include tools such as NOAA Weather Radio, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), or local weather channels.
Community alert systems also vary, utilizing resources such as outdoor sirens or alerts sent via smartphones. Familiarizing yourself with your community’s methods for notifying residents about severe weather is crucial for receiving timely updates.
Fox highlights the necessity of having alerts that continue through the night, noting, “It’s essential to have something that can wake you, such as a NOAA Weather Radio that emits a loud buzzing sound to alert households in case of a warning.”
Clean Your Gutters
Ensuring that your gutters are free of debris before a storm is vital for effective water drainage. Cleaning gutters beforehand prevents water accumulation, which could lead to potential roof damage, leaking, or structural problems during the storm, especially when going outside to clear blockages may pose safety risks.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
As storms approach, assembling an emergency kit can be an important step to navigate both during the storm and in its aftermath when services like electricity may be disrupted. This disaster supply kit should include fundamental items your household may require.
Per Ready.gov—a FEMA initiative aimed at educating the public about emergency preparedness—a well-stocked kit should contain essentials such as water, food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, masks, trash bags, whistles, can openers, and a cell phone with additional chargers and batteries. The complete list can be viewed here.
Ready.gov further recommends storing canned food in a dry location and placing boxed food in tightly sealed plastic or metal containers to maintain their edibility. Additionally, it’s wise to keep a kit in your vehicle for emergencies if you become stranded.
Fox stresses the importance of having two types of kits: a “stay-at-home kit” for surviving at home for about two weeks, and a “to-go kit” for evacuation situations containing enough supplies for three to five days.
Identify Nearby Shelters
The CDC advises that knowing the location of nearby shelters and planning safe routes to them is instrumental when preparing for severe thunderstorms.
Fox adds that individuals living in mobile homes or campers should seek safer accommodations during severe weather events. Planning ahead by identifying community shelters or staying with friends or family can be crucial for safety.
When planning your shelter, consider which room offers the most protection during a storm—ideally, this is a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of the house, away from windows.
Meteorologist Randy Bowers emphasizes that the safest spaces often involve maximizing walls between individuals and outside conditions, particularly during large hail storms.
Include Pets in Your Plans
For those with pets, Fox emphasizes the need to integrate animals into family emergency plans. Ensure that carriers and leashes are readily accessible, allowing for quick evacuation if necessary.
It’s also important to keep a supply of any necessary medications, additional food, toys, and other items your pet may require if you are confined to home or need to evacuate during a storm.
Fox further advises that pets should remain indoors during storms to prevent them from becoming frightened and attempting to flee.
Consider Surge Protectors
As per FEMA’s preparedness guidelines, investing in surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system can safeguard your home’s electronics and appliances from damage during lightning strikes associated with storms.
Bowers suggests that considering such protective measures can form part of a long-term strategy, particularly for individuals residing in storm-prone areas or planning to relocate to one.
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