Tomorrow kicks of Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. Each year, the National Weather Service, state, and local emergency management officials work together to ensure communities are prepared for severe weather. Hamilton County has experienced 28 tornadoes from 1950 through 2017. Although spring typically brings more storms, there has been a recorded tornado in the state for each month of the year.
Hamilton County Emergency Management is working with local media to share a specific topic on severe weather preparedness this week with a specific topic each day. This installment focuses on making sure you and your family a prepared for severe weather along with any other emergency or disaster.
There are three easy steps to ensure you are ready for an emergency or disaster.
- Build a Kit
An emergency kit (or go bag) is a group of items you may need during a disaster. By having these items grouped together, you can quickly grab your kit and leave if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
You can use a bag or large plastic container to store your items and buying an item or two a week can keep costs down. Some items you may want in your kit include:
- Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (do not forget a can opener)
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (many of these radios include a USB charger for phones)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Visit ready.gov for a downloadable emergency supply kit checklist
- Make a Plan
Now that you have a kit, you and your family should know what to do in a disaster or emergency. Tornadoes or severe thunderstorms are often thought of when one thinks of severe weather, but there are many other hazards, such as flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds. You can make a plan for your family by visiting ready.gov. A plan will help you and your family know what to do when severe weather strikes.
- Where are your safe places at home, school, and work?
- What do you do if you are in a store or driving?
- What do you do after the storm?
If you get separated from your family, make sure you have a place to meet and have an out-of-town contact to let know you are okay. Make sure to involve your children in the plan making process. Sesame Street can help kids be ready for a disaster. Practice your plan to ensure everyone is familiar and knows what to do.
- Be Informed
It is important to have multiple ways to receive weather and emergency alerts.
- Have a NOAA Weather Radio – these radios receive all alerts, including non-weather emergency notifications.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts is a nationwide text emergency alert system.
- Outdoor warning sirens provide outdoor notification – sirens are not intended to warn people indoors.
- Hamilton County, Indiana free smartphone app – provides emergency alerts, preparedness information, power outages, travel advisors and the ability to submit storm reports.
- FEMA free smartphone app – provides emergency alerts for multiple counties the user selects.
Hamilton County Emergency Management encourages the public, businesses, and schools to prepare now for severe weather. Additional resources are available on Emergency Management’s website at hamiltoncounty.in.gov/em and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at ready.gov.