Severe Weather Awareness Week: Preparedness Monday

Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 4-8, 2024. Salina311 will be presenting a series of articles to inform the public about those involved at the Saline County Department of Emergency Management, as well as tips on how to be prepared for all forms of severe weather.

This week, from March 4th to 8th, is Severe Weather Awareness Week. Annually, the National Weather Service dedicates the first week of March to enlighten individuals about severe weather. This encompasses understanding what constitutes severe weather, ensuring safety measures, involving the entire family, and more.

Monday, March 4th, is Preparedness Monday. Saline County Emergency Management, the authority ensuring the county's readiness for natural and man-made emergencies, emphasizes the importance of preparedness for you and your community. In Kansas, this readiness extends to earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and more.

Do you have a plan if a tornado approaches your home? Have you registered your phone to receive Code Red alerts through Saline County? What's your evacuation strategy?

Code Red stands as Saline County's mass alert system, accessible here. Subscribing ensures receipt of text alerts during community emergencies, including evacuation orders, bio-terrorism advisories, water boil notices, and reports of missing children.

Prior to severe weather events, ensure your emergency kit is stocked. This should include essential documents, tennis shoes for all family members (walking on storm debris or in flood waters in sandals can be dangerous), spare keys, clothing, medications, a diaper bag for infants, phone chargers, batteries, flashlights, and provisions for pets. Store these items in a readily accessible yet secure location, preferably within your designated safe space at home, for swift evacuation or sheltering.

When outdoors during severe weather, be mindful of the nearest safe haven. Whether at home, work, school, shopping, or driving, familiarize yourself with routes to safety for different weather scenarios. Ensure the safety of all family members and pets in your care.

Preparedness is a collective effort involving the entire family. Ensure everyone has provisions tailored to their needs, including entertainment for power outages and allergen-free food options. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.