Severe Weather Preparedness

NewsTalk KZRG’s Ty Albright discusses how to prepare for severe weather.

Stay ahead of the storm by listening to KZRG and make sure you tune in during times of severe weather for breaking coverage.

It’s an important time to make sure you and your family are prepared for a variety of storm situations, including hail, flash flooding and tornadoes.

Some general tips for preparedness include:

• Have a plan. Practice tornado drills with your family and talk to your kids about what they would do if there is a tornado at school, church, if they were home alone, etc.…
• Have an adequate supply of necessary medical supplies, including prescriptions
• Remember tornado sirens are intended to alert those outside, not inside. If you are indoors, you likely won’t hear them.
• Know where the nearest storm shelter is and the rules they operate under.  Shelters are not maintained or operated by the county, so each church, school, city may have different guidelines for operation / use.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Do not drive through flood waters.
• Keep a “survival kit” handy, with flashlights, phone charger, first aid kit, clothing, medications, bottled water, and non-perishable food items.
• Listen to News Talk KZRG on FM 102.9, FM 105.9, AM 1310 when severe weather is imminent. We will provide you with full coverage.

Here are weather terms you should be familiar with:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Means the conditions are present for severe thunderstorm development in and around the watch area.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Means a severe thunderstorm has been spotted or indicated by radar. Severe thunderstorms can produce winds in excess of 58 mph and hail. These storms can produce tornadoes.

Tornado Watch – Means the conditions are present for tornado development in and around the watch area.

Tornado Warning – Means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar. You should seek shelter immediately.

Flash Flood Watch – Means conditions are present for flash flooding in and around the watch area.

Flash Flood Warning – Means flash floods are imminent or present in the warning area.

Winter Storm Watch – Means conditions are present for significant snow or ice accumulations.

Winter Weather Advisory –  Means one of more of the following is expected: snow of 3-5 inches in a 12 hour period, sleet up to 1/4 inch, freezing rain in combination with snow or sleet, or blowing snow.

Winter Storm Warning – Means that heavy snow, at least 6 inches over a 12 hour period, is expected. Sleet accumulation of at least half an inch can also trigger a winter storm warning.

Info compiled from the National Weather Service.