MEMA/NWS
NEWS RELEASE: HAVE A PLAN FOR SEVERE WEATHER
866-920-MEMA
FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 17, 2012
Have A Plan For Severe Weather
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency and the National Weather Service encourage everyone to have a
plan for severe weather. A strong cold front will move through the state
tonight with the possibility of damaging winds and perhaps a strong tornado.
The latest NWS forecast calls for the threat of severe weather
moving in this afternoon and continuing through the early morning hours of
Thursday. The greatest threat appears to be north of Interstate 20 but the
entire state has some risk.
MEMA
and the NWS recommend that every home have a NOAA weather radio or some means
of receiving severe weather warnings at their home. The weather radio
sounds when a warning is issued for an area and may be purchased at many local
retailers for about $30. This is when individuals and families should
execute their severe weather plan and seek shelter immediately if there is an
active warning for their area.
MEMA and the NWS also recommend you take the following steps:
- Have
a family emergency plan in case a weather warning is issued.
- Check
and restock your emergency supply kit in case you are without electricity
for an extended period of time.
- Residents
in mobile homes, manufactured housing or any type of sub-standard housing
should have a safe place to wait out the severe weather.
- When
riding in a vehicle never attempt to outrun a tornado. You should
abandon the vehicle and get into a nearby ditch or sturdy structure.
In
addition to a NOAA weather radio residents should monitor their local media as
well as the NWS at www.srh.noaa.gov for forecast information
and updates.
For more details on family and personal preparedness please visit
MEMA’s website at www.msema.org.
The public is encouraged to follow MEMA on Twitter and Facebook
for updates. Media with questions can
contact MEMA External Affairs at 866-920-MEMA (6362).
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