The tragic disasters in Kentucky and Illinois are the most heartbreaking examples of unseasonable severe weather events throughout the South and Midwest this winter. Those incidents do not appear to be isolated events either, as Minnesota had extreme wind warnings last night, an unusual occurrence for December.
Thankfully, there are numerous resources to help you stay prepared for severe weather. Although the specific readiness kits will depend on the type of hazard, one common element will be to have a family safety plan. According to Ready.gov, a family safety plan can be broken into 4 steps:
- Discuss communication, shelter, evacuation, and preparation plans with your family;
- Consider specific needs and risks, such as age and fitness of your family members, medical needs, and more;
- Fill out an emergency plan; and
- Practice your plan.
Hopefully you will never need to use your family safety plan, but if severe weather strikes you and your family can be prepared.
