Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur within the same day.
Spring weather can be unpredictable. When severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of property damage, injury, and even death increases. To help you and your family stay safe, planning for unpredictable weather events is essential.
Now that we are entering the Spring severe weather season, there are a few things you can do to make sure you are prepared and can manage if you find yourself in the path of a severe storm:
- Create a family emergency plan.
- How to manage if you are staying put.
- What to do if you must get out due to flooding or fire.
- Create a meeting point if you get split up.
- Stay updated on emergency alerts. Be familiar with the difference in a severe weather watch versus severe weather warning.
- If a storm is forecasted, secure items outside before the storm hits.
- Top off and check your emergency kits.
- Gather important family documents: birth certificates, passports, tax papers, and insurance documents. Keep them in a secure waterproof container that is accessible in a high stress situation.
- Check and recheck communication devices and ensure they are fully charged.
- Check your fire extinguishers and make sure they are full and operable.
Additional spring weather tips and reminders can be found at: