Severe Weather Preparedness Week will be observed in North Carolina and Alexander County during the week of March 1-7. During this week, the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this severe weather safety campaign to all North Carolina residents. With warmer weather approaching, now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season.
The safety campaign will include information on severe weather alerts, severe weather safety, lightning safety, flash flood safety, severe weather safety plans, and more.
“Alexander County has seen its share of severe weather, unfortunately, and it is our goal to communicate the importance of severe weather preparedness,” said Daniel Fox, Alexander County Emergency Management Coordinator. “Families and businesses should have an emergency plan and an emergency kit, which can save lives when severe weather strikes.”
Part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week is the annual statewide tornado drill, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 9:30 a.m. Every school, business, workplace, and family across the state is encouraged to participate in the drill. If there is a risk of actual severe weather that day, the drill will be postponed until Friday, March 6, at 9:30 a.m. The tornado drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT). An actual Tornado Warning will not be issued. Regardless, organizations can plan to start the tornado drill independently that day.
Awareness is an essential part of severe weather preparedness. Alexander County officials urge citizens to register for CodeRED, the county’s mass emergency notification system that sends out notifications for severe weather and other emergencies. Register online at https://accountportal.onsolve.net/AlexanderCountyCodeRED.
Ready.gov is an excellent resource for families, businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations. This federal website details how to create an emergency plan and a preparedness kit. Planning should include communications, shelter, childcare, pets, evacuation routes, and more. Kits should include flashlights and batteries, phone chargers, medications and medical supplies, food and water, and other necessities. For assistance with creating an emergency plan and kit, visit www.ready.gov/plan.
For additional information about NC Severe Weather Preparedness Week, visit the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/rah/severeprep.