Prepare Now for Severe Weather

Prepare Now for Severe Weather

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

“April showers” are inevitably a part of spring in Indiana. But when those April showers turn into severe storms, it’s important to make sure you and your family are prepared.

According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, severe weather can happen any time of year, but it most often occurs from April to July. When these storms strike, you may only have a few minutes to seek shelter, which is why you should be ready now.

Take these steps to prepare your home before severe weather strikes:

  • Keep trees trimmed to avoid loose branches falling onto buildings, cars or people.
  • If you’re in a flood plain, consider getting flood insurance. Keep hot water heaters, electrical panels and furnaces away from the ground.
  • Have your basement waterproofed, and if you live near water, try to create a barrier between your house and the water.
  • Make an emergency kit, and take it with you in case of evacuation.

No one likes to think about a disaster happening to them, but the reality is that these emergencies can happen to anyone. Here are some steps you can take to create an action plan for your family:

  • Start a conversation. Talk to your children about the types of disasters that could happen in your area, like tornadoes or fires. Pick a meeting place to go to if such an event occurs. Develop a plan for family members who may need assistance, such as elderly or disabled relatives. Choose an out-of-state contact person for your family to call, in case you cannot make local calls.
  • Make a plan. Put together critical information into one place and share it with your family. This could include details on your local emergency contact person, out-of-state contact person, nearest relatives and family pets.
  • Assemble an emergency kit. When a disaster strikes, you may not be able to immediately access the resources you need. Here are nine essential items to put into an emergency kit:
  1. One gallon of water per person, per day for three days
  2. Non-perishable food items like canned or packaged food
  3. One change of clothes and shoes per person
  4. Three days’ worth of prescription medications, if needed
  5. Flashlight and extra batteries
  6. Manual can opener
  7. Battery-powered, solar-powered or hand-crank radio
  8. Hygiene items like soap, toilet paper and a toothbrush
  9. First aid basics such as antiseptic, bandages and non-prescription medication

The Indiana Senate Majority Caucus encourages you to take seriously the threat of severe weather. For more information on how to keep you and your family safe, click here.