Severe weather awareness week 2021
The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD), National Weather Service (NWS), and Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa.
Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 22-26, is an opportunity to highlight the importance of being aware of, and prepared for, severe weather.
“Having multiple ways to receive severe weather watches, warnings and emergency information such as NOAA weather radios or any of the many severe weather apps available to smartphone users, along with the Montgomery County AlertIowa System will greatly increase your awareness and preparedness to incoming severe weather”, said Brian Hamman, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director.
For each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week, a different subject will be featured:
- • Monday – Severe thunderstorms
- • Tuesday – Weather warnings
- • Wednesday – Tornadoes
- • Thursday – Family preparedness
- • Friday – Flash floods
The annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wednesday, March 24, beginning at 11 a.m. Schools, businesses, individuals, and state and local governments may participate, keeping in mind COVID-19 safety guidelines, including:
- • Staying at least 6 feet from other people outside of your household in your shelter location if possible
- • Wearing a mask
- • Washing your hands often, cover coughs and sneeze
- • Avoiding touching high-touch surfaces, such as handrails, as much as possible
These guidelines also apply if you must go to a public shelter or stay with family or friends during, or following, severe weather or other emergencies.
Severe Weather Awareness Week is a good time to review your family’s emergency plan and to check the contents of your emergency kit. Be sure to include in your emergency kit items you may need if you must shelter outside of your home, including masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
Learn more on sheltering safely and protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 at:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/public-disaster-shelte...
For more information on severe weather preparedness, visit www.beready.iowa.gov