American Red Cross officials are imploring Mississippians to make ready for a forecasted line of severe weather expected to roll across the state this weekend.
A line of storms could potentially bring damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Check the projected areas of risk here to see if you are in the threat areas.
If you are in the way of forecasted severe weather, Red Cross experts say the risk of damage, injury, and death dramatically decreases when properly prepared. Below are some preparation tips from emergency officials:
Thunderstorm Safety
“If thunder roars, go indoors!” If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after each thunderclap you hear.
In the case of a severe thunderstorm warning, take immediate shelter in a sturdy building or a vehicle with the windows closed. Never shelter in a mobile home that can be blown over in high winds.
- Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
- Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use batter-powered TVs and radios instead.
- Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.
- Do not take a bath, show, or use plumbing.
- If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
- If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts, and sheds are not considered safe.
- Never drive through a flooded roadway. You cannot predict how deep the water may be.
- Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms.
- Continue to listen to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio or to local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions, as access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked.
- Help people who may need special assistance, such as infants, children, the elderly, and the disabled.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
Tornado Safety
With strong tornadoes possible in the coming days, there’s no better time to learn, or refresh your memory, what to do in the event that you are in the path of a tornado. Tornadoes are violent phenomena capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles.
Tornadoes can happen anywhere.
- Know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning
- A tornado watch means a tornado is possible.
- A tornado warning means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon. Find shelter immediately.
- Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor.
- In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home is safe in a tornado.
Further emergency preparedness and recovery resources can be found here.
To stay weather aware, visit our up-to-date forecast center.