March 24-28 is Severe Weather Awareness Week
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), National Weather Service (NWS), and Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 24-28.
“Iowa is no stranger to severe weather,” said HSEM Director John Benson. “We frequently see tornadoes, flooding, straight-line winds and even derechos. So take the time now to prepare yourself and your family so you know what to do if severe weather is headed your way.”
Benson urges Iowans to take 3 simple steps to be better prepared:
- Be aware of weather hazards by signing up for emergency notifications through Alert Iowa (alert.iowa.gov) or use a NOAA Weather Radio or other type of alerting tool.
- Make an emergency plan with your family. Think about where you will go and what actions you will need to take to stay safe if you are impacted by severe weather.
- Build an emergency kit with items you and your family will need if you must evacuate your home.
For each day during Severe Weather Awareness Week, a different subject will be highlighted:
- Monday – Lightning Safety
- Tuesday – Tornado Safety
- Wednesday – Preparedness
- Thursday – Hail and Wind Safety
- Friday – Flood Safety
The annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wed., March 26, beginning at 10 a.m. during the weekly NOAA Weather Radio test. Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on local NWS websites.