More than a weather forecast, this is the backdrop for reminding both the region’s natives and its newcomers that conditions can change suddenly. It’s best to be prepared.
Each March, weather experts and emergency preparedness workers take time to do what has proven to be the most effective thing in saving lives in the event of severe weather: alert the public to the dangers.
This is why meteorologists and forecasters talk about possible rainstorms and then go further to warn of the potential for flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas.
This also is why the experts take time to explain how lightning works and how to stay safe when lightning is spotted in the sky.
And this is why, on bright, sunny days – and rainy ones, too – you often will hear knowledgeable authorities talking about the very real threat posed by potential tornadoes in the four-state region.
Rather than repeat every detail of these helpful advisories, we simply urge responsible adults in every household, as well as employers and other community leaders, to take the advice of the experts and review your storm safety plans before a severe weather event threatens.
A common theme of this education campaigns calls for us to be “StormAware.” The key steps are proven lifesavers:
· You regularly monitor the weather reports for severe weather watches and warnings.
· You annually review your plans for where you and your family will take shelter at home, work and other places you frequent in the event of a weather warning.
· You have purchased a NOAA weather radio to stay alert to severe weather warnings even in the middle of the night and you have signed up for severe weather alerts by text message or other means.
For more helpful ideas for how to be prepared for the worst that storm season offers, see the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s resources at www.ready.gov and Missouri’s resources at www.sema.dps.mo.gov.
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©2017 the St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, Mo.)
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