Be prepared for severe weather

One year ago, the nation's largest outbreak of tornadoes in history tore through the South and Midwest, leaving behind billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of deaths. April was a harbinger of things to come as 2011 went down in history as one of the worst years in history for domestic disasters. Not only did tornadoes hit several states, including North Carolina, but wildfires raged in several states during the summer, and Hurricane Irene made its mark in August and September as one of the most destructive hurricanes in history, carrying hurricane winds and flooding into New England states.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reminding Americans this week to be prepared for disasters. The two agencies have declared this week National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. They remind everyone to "know your risk, take action, and be a force of nature" by preparing in advance for disasters, whenever they might come.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., wants to build a "Weather Ready Nation" by providing information that will save lives when severe weather strikes. America has already seen spring tornadoes, but they have lacked the frequency and deadliness of last year's 300 confirmed tornadoes.

"One of the lessons we can take away from the recent tornado outbreaks is that severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "While we can't control where or when it might hit, we can take steps in advance to prepare and that's why we are asking people to pledge to prepare, and share with others so they will do the same."

FEMA and NOAA offer the following tips on how to handle severe weather and survive deadly storms:

• Know your risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for alerts from your local emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
• Take action: Pledge to develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice how and where to take shelter. Create or refresh an emergency kit for needed food, supplies and medication. Post your plan where visitors can see it. Learn what you can do to strengthen your home or business against severe weather. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Download FEMA's mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before and during severe weather. Understand the weather warning system and become a certified storm spotter through the National Weather Service.
• Be a force of nature: Once you have taken action, tell your family, friends, school staff and co-workers about how they can prepare. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered with your social media network. Studies show individuals need to receive messages a number of ways before acting - and you can be one of those sources. When you go to shelter during a warning, send a text, tweet or post a status update so your friends and family know. You might just save their lives, too. For more information on how you can participate, visit www.ready.gov/severeweather.

You can also find advice about preparing for disasters at www.redcross.org.

This year's unusually hot March worried disaster experts, who know the correlation between unseasonably hot weather and tornadoes and hurricanes. April has been unusually cool in the Southeast, and that might mitigate some of the hazards of that hot March, but storms can come at any time, so follow the advice from the American Red Cross, FEMA and NOAA, and be prepared this year.