SEVERE WEATHER

By Christina Bramlett Life Safety Educator / PIO / Firefighter/Paramedic

Winter weather is winding down and Spring is right around the corner. With seasonal changes

comes storms, often severe storms. 

No amount of technology can divert storms from impacting you or your property; but being prepared can make a difference.

First, having a source of information that is not reliant on electricity is important. Today’s smartphones have apps connected to local weather stations to alert us of impending severe weather. If you do not have a smartphone, then you need to have a weather radio. Having both of these can give you the precious minutes needed to take cover. 

Monroe County also uses

CodeRed, a free service that can push weather alerts, as well as location specific alerts outside of weather notifications (missing person, gas leaks, etc).

Pre-plan where you and your family are going to take cover. Just like a fire escape plan, practice these with your children (and your grandchildren for when they are visiting). Your children need to know and feel empowered to follow the plan even if you’re not home or are for some reason incapacitated.

Evaluate and choose an interior room or closet that has no exterior walls and no windows. In that room keep a few bottles of water and a flashlight. If you have them, it is a great idea to keep an extra comforter or several pillows for head protection. 

What injures and kills people most in severe weather is head injuries from falling debris, projectiles, and jagged glass being blown at the speed of the storm.

Now let’s evaluate the exterior of your home. There are many certified arborists in our area who

can evaluate your existing trees for health and stability before a storm lays one on your home.

While a severe storm can damage even healthy trees, a certified arborist can alert you to situations that are probable for damage that can result in injuries or death. 

Also, look at your lawn ornaments. For items that have a permanent or even semi-permanent quality, consider staking them to the ground so that they have less of a chance of becoming projectiles into your home during high winds.

In Monroe County’s relatively rolling hills and level fields, wind damage is the primary concern.

Please take the time to prepare yourself and your family. Thinking ahead and mitigating issues now will make the time for action less chaotic and scary. 

Be diligent, be prepared, be safe.