Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, ice storms, high winds and heavy rain can occur rapidly and put lives and goods in danger. Severe storms can occur in all regions, no matter what season.
Listen to radio stations or television stations in your area to know about weather warnings and get advice. Keep a battery-powered or wind-up radio at hand as electricity often goes down during severe storms.
Prepare yourself
Stock up on heating fuel and prepared food along with flashlights, radio powered by batteries and extra batteries. To obtain a complete list of emergency supplies, go to the following link : emergency kit. You will also learn what the car emergency kit should contain.
When a severe storm is planned, the USA meteorological services emits watches, warnings and notices through radios stations and television, internet weather website and automated information telephone lines.
Other advice for storm preparation
- When a severe storm is announced, fix firmly anything that could be swept away by the wind, be it inside or outside the house. When they are swept away by violent winds, objects such as garbage cans and garden furniture cannot only injure people, but cause important material damages.
- If you live on a farm and own animals, make them enter the cowshed. Make sure they will have enough food and water.
- Cut down dead branches and trees in order to reduce the risk of them falling on your house during a storm.
- If you are inside, stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces.
- You can take refuge if the location you and your family chose within your emergency plan.
- If local authorities ask you to evacuate the area, do so. Bring your emergency kit with you.
- The use of a standard telephone during a severe storm involves risks. Use a cellular phone.
- Never adventure yourself on a boat during a storm. If you are already in the water and notice bad weather approaching, go immediately toward the shore. Always verify marine forecasts before leaving on a boat for the day and listen to weather reports during your cruise.
- If you are driving a car, stop the car away from trees and electrical lines that could fall off on you. Stay at that location.
- Generally, on a farm, the effects of the severe storm on livestock can be reduced by moving the animals in order to avoid the storm, lessening the consequences of storm when we can’t avoid it or shelter the animals. The approach style depends on the storm type anticipated.
