RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – This week marks the first National Severe Weather Preparedness Week in the U.S., led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Even though severe weather can occur any time of the year, history shows an increase specifically in tornadic activity in the Spring, Summer, and Fall months (varying regionally in the U.S.). In light of recent significant tornado outbreaks over the past year, NOAA and FEMA jointly say they are “encouraging the public to know your risk, take action, and be a force of nature by taking proactive preparedness measures and inspiring others to do the same.” The “be a force of nature” part had me scratching my head at first. Here’s what that means, according to the statement released by NOAA and FEMA:
Be a force of nature: Once you have taken action, tell your family, friends, school staff and co-workers about how they can prepare. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered with your social media network. Studies show individuals need to receive messages a number of ways before acting – and you can be one of those sources. When you go to shelter during a warning, send a text, tweet or post a status update so your friends and family know. You might just save their lives, too. For more information on how you can participate, visit www.ready.gov/severe-weather.
Here at WTVR CBS 6, we provide those various sources of warning information, from television alerts, to updates on our website, to social media distribution on various platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
CBS 6 Storm Team Weather Blog, Facebook and TwitterChief Meteorologist Zach Daniel’s Facebook and Twitter
Weekday Morning through Noon Meteorologist Carrie Rose’s Facebook and Twitter
Weekend Meteorologist Mike Stone’s Facebook and Twitter
OUR MOBILE APPS:
I strongly encourage you to also consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio to alert you while you’re asleep if severe weather threatens your county or specific neighborhood (you can program them to do that). Click here to learn more about weather radios. There are also a variety of apps available for purchase on your mobile devices that alert you similarly to a weather radio. Bottom line: have a way to alert you when you’re not watching TV or checking Facebook, Twitter, etc.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says, “One of the lessons we can take away from the recent tornado outbreaks is that severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere. While we can’t control where or when it might hit, we can take steps in advance to prepare and that’s why we are asking people to pledge to prepare, and share with others so they will do the same.”
BONUS: Click here to make your severe weather plan
BONUS: Click here to see what should be in your emergency kit
BONUS: Click here to learn more about various natural disasters that can strike the U.S.
Stay with CBS 6, we’ll keep you ahead of the storm.
Meteorologist Carrie Rose
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About NOAA
“NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook , Twitter and our other social media channels.”
About FEMA
“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Take the pledge and learn more information at www.ready.gov/severe-weather — and encourage the rest of your community to join.”
