Yesterday marked the start of the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently partnered to designate April 22-28, 2012, as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, and is calling upon all Americans, in every area of the country, to Be a Force of Nature.
Because we live in an area prone to tornadoes, flash floods and severe thunderstorms, the recent severe weather and tornado outbreaks reminded us that this weather can strike anywhere and at any time. Just last year, there were more than 1,000 weather-related fatalities and more than 8,000 injuries.
Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example by sharing your knowledge and actions with your social network are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared and assist in saving lives.
Information on the different types of severe weather such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding is available at www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/severeweather. You can also learn more about what we’re doing in the City of Decatur by checking out the Emergency Management insert in the November edition of the Decatur Focus.
