Tips for Severe Weather Preparations

Today's weather forecast shows the potential for severe weather.

Bridgette Williams of the Arkansas Red Cross stopped by the share some tips for being prepared if severe weather happens.  She also left us some detailed pointers you may not think of when preparing for severe weather.  Our thanks to Bridgette and the Red Cross for the great tips below!

Bottom Line Basics

• Have a NOAA weather radio, in the event power goes out. 
• For cell only households make sure your phone is charged up; should power go out, don’t use the phone to chat, but to receive or give needed information.
• Have working flashlights.  If you use candles, in the event of a power outage, blow them out before going to bed.  
• Make back up plans if you have medical equipment that uses electricity in the event of an outage.
• Fill up your gas tank.  Northeast Arkansas is already under a flood watch, you never know if you may need to evacuate. All 75 counties can and have flooded.
• If traveling check weather conditions all along your route before departing. 
• Pay attention to watches and warnings and take them seriously.
• If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, pay additional attention to rainfall and flood warnings.  Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• And, do not drive through flooded streets, even if you’re familiar with the area.  Water can be deceptive in its depth and strength to move objects, not to mention washing away roads and bridges.
• Talk to children about the possibility of severe weather, letting them know their teachers will take care of them.  Should something occur—such as severe storms at dismissal—let them know you will be there as soon as it’s safe to travel.  Obviously this conversation is had on level each child can understand and handle.  It’s not to alarm them, but to let them know they will be taken care of and Mom and Dad are aware of what’s going on with them, even if they aren’t together.
• Make certain emergency number and emergency pickup contacts are updated at school with daytime numbers of people who are answering phones.

For more information you can visit the Red Cross wedsite at:

 http://www.redcross.org/en/

And for the latest weather information, along with watching channel 7, you get follow the Arkansas Weather Blog:

http://www.katv.com/Global/category.asp?C=192879