28 January 2012
CNN reviewed the weather events of 2011 where a record 14 weather and climate disasters in 2011 caused $1 billion or more in damage. At least 669 people died in these storms and thousands were injured.
A new trend is taking hold - "Weather-Ready Nation". According to Jack Hayes, the National Weather Serivce Director, a "weather-ready nation" is one made up of people empowered to make life-saving decisions that also prevent devastating economic losses.
Here are tips on how to get your family Weather-Ready:
1. Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan. Where will you meet in case of an emergency? How will you communicate with each other? Write this down and rehearse it.
2. Identify a Safe Room for your family to go to when a tornado warning is issued
3. Buy and store the following supplies: First-aid kit, flashlight, bicycle helmet, battery-powered radio, power generator, water and non-perishable food, including food for pets
4. Identify reliable and immediate sources of information that will be available despite power outages. Most likely sources are Twitter and SMS texts through a cell phone.
5. Equip your home with supplies to make an extended power outage safer and more bearable: power failure lighting by Mr. Beams; a portable generator; plenty of food and water; batteries; and a deck of cards.
The entire CNN article can be found by clicking here