Staying Prepared

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

It is March – the official start to the Spring season. However, in Oklahoma, springtime means more than just blooming flowers and warmer weather. It also means that storm season is coming.

As Oklahomans, we are not naïve to extreme weather and tornadoes. However, that does not mean we shouldn’t prepare and be ready for it when severe weather conditions do come.

First, it is important to be aware. Keep your eyes and ears on the news and make sure to follow all the guidelines given by the National Weather Service. To receive real time alerts from the National Weather Service, safety tips, and help finding safety shelters, download the mobile FEMA app here.

Additionally, you should go ahead and prepare a severe weather kit now to have on hand throughout tornado season. Emergency kits should always contain a flashlight, water, a whistle, a first aid kit, and batteries. For more resources and helpful tips on building your emergency kit, click here.

You should also have a clear and concise plan for your household to follow in the event of severe weather. Your plan should include where to shelter, an evacuation route, how to communicate with your loved ones, and how you will receive emergency weather alerts. For guidance on creating a plan, click here.

You should also prepare a plan at your place of employment and child’s schools. You should ask your place of employment to review a plan together with employees. You can also find resources here to help ensure your children, their educators, or others responsible for their safety have a plan.

If a tornado does hit your home and causes a loss of power, it is important for you to know what is safe to use for backup energy and heat sources. Be careful that you are using portable generators and combustion or gas-burning appliances as intended. It is critical for you to know this, as if certain sources are used inappropriately, you can be exposed to toxic carbon monoxide. To find information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on this, click here.

Finally, if your home suffers damage from a tornado, make sure to report the damage so the state of Oklahoma can accurately understand how much damage the storm has caused. This is vital for obtaining the appropriate level of federal support.

As Oklahomans, we know that we must be ready to face a tornado at just a moment’s notice. The best way to ensure our own safety is to be prepared. Please take all the necessary steps and stay safe.