09/26/2025
We are posting our disaster and storm readiness post for anyone who wants this information. We still have a lot of uncertainty about the tropical storms out there hitting us.
𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒
Disaster preparedness can seem overwhelming. Some people go to great lengths, and some just do the basics. Do what feels right to you and you can afford to do. We do highly recommend that everyone read through our list
Take it one step at a time. Some of these things only need to be done once, some once per year. Some things, like putting away items on porches that could break your windows, will have to be done every storm.
Here is our full list of severe weather tips for those who want to do more to be prepared. Not all of these tips will apply to every home. Please read through and decide what would make your home safer.
PREPARING FOR ANY DISASTER- INFORMATION IS CRITICAL
-Get a weather app for your phone (if you have cell service at home) that will wake you up with severe weather warnings.
There are free weather apps available, such as the FEMA App https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products or the Red Cross app in the Apple or Google Play Store. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/check-out-the-new-and-improved-red-cross-emergency-app.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqCVUvrrAbNIHofbq-oV-6U_TXiEfwSKYyg6QRTDQMk0BlOah5Y
The Weather Channel, Weather Underground, Weather Bug and more also offer free severe weather alerts. Look for one that has options for multiple locations and lets you choose the types of alerts you get. Some are free and some offer an upgraded service for a fee.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞, 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
1. Enable your location so it knows what area to scan. Some have you manually enter your address, and some ask you to enable the app to track your cellphone location. Change the location when you travel or go on vacation to get local alerts where you are if you aren't using tracking that automatically follows your phone.
2. Enable the sounds and notifications in settings so you will hear the notification and be woken up during sleep for severe weather alerts.
Sign up for local emergency messages if your county offers that. All local counties except Polk County, TN, use Nixle (https://www.everbridge.com/products/nixle/), it's free to sign up. Polk County uses an app called Regroup- https://app.regroup.com/orgs/polkcounty911/signup_embed?preview=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawIzVWJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTB2gptZ1rEhLwxtlDEzu6yVp_ObvL-64CC4hS2nqYd58XJggAUciweWBA_aem_ZDHnIzer2kNuhLl4fzf_aw
SHELTERING IN A TORNADO:
-Choose the safest place in your home to shelter from a tornado.
-Every home will be different, but in general, shelter away from windows and doors, in an interior room.
-Cover yourselves with blankets, pillows and other forms of padding and protection. Wear any kind of helmet you have, it can prevent serious head injuries.
-While most tornado advice recommends sheltering in a basement, if you live in a flood zone, this can cause you to drown if the storm causes flooding as well as severe wind damage. Think it all through based on where you live.
-If you live in an RV or camper, or a mobile home, you need to take extra precautions. Look for our more in depth posts on that.
-Sheltering in a vehicle during tornado is not recommended.
PREVENT WIND DAMAGE:
- Put away or secure outdoor furniture, bird feeders, wind chimes, grills, leaf blowers, mowers, gas cans and other items that can become a hazard in high winds. Secure a trampoline by flipping it over and securing it down, chaining to trees or secure the legs in concrete.
-Secure window shutters, sheds, greenhouses and other outdoor structures.
-Be aware of any power poles and trees near your home that might come down.
-If you live in an RV or mobile home, consider making other arrangements until the storms have passed.
PREPARE FOR HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING:
-Heavy rains can make it difficult to see the road while driving
-Heavy rains can cause isolated or widespread flooding, can make creeks and streams dangerous and flood waters can carry away vehicles attempting to drive through. Never drive through moving water unless you can still see the road below it- it could be washed out. Turn around, don't drown.
-Heavy rains can cause mudslides and road collapse and can undermine trees and power lines causing them to fall.
-If there is a storm drain near your house, make sure it is not clogged with litter, branches or leaves. When water can't drain away, flooding is more likely.
- Don't let kids, or even adults, play or walk near creeks and streams when there have been heavy rains. They can be rushing very strongly; banks will be muddy and slippery and there is debris in the waters.
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES:
-Make sure you have backup plans for oxygen and medical devices.
-Charge up phones, flashlights and other devices.
-Store clean water for drinking, brushing teeth, etc., at least one gallon per family member and pet per day.
-Store water for flushing toilets, cleaning and cooking, You can put empty containers out in the rain to collect water for this too. If it is very windy, this may not work well.
-Have some foods on hand that you can reheat easily without electricity. Canned foods that have pull open tops are great when your electric opener won’t work. High protein granola bars make great snacks. Use up the foods in your fridge that will go bad first.
-Fill small containers with water and load up your freezer and refrigerator at least one day before. A full freezer and fridge stay cold longer. You can also use those frozen containers to keep foods cold by moving them to the refrigerator or to a cooler.
-Monitor the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer so you know if food is still safe to eat but open them as little as possible to preserve the cold.
-Make sure you have spare batteries for flashlights, don't run down your cellphone battery. (Please do not rely on candles, they cause many fires.)
-Unplug major appliances and computers so that power flickering on and on or lightning strikes do not ruin them.
-Have a spare propane tank for your grill so you can cook. Plan some simple meals for 3-5 days, or longer if you live far out of town. Large weather/wind events mean many repairs to power lines, and that takes time.
-If it is winter, bring in extra firewood. If you use space heaters or a generator, get extra fuel and review safety guidelines. Always have proper ventilation when using a space heater or generator. Generators should only be used OUTSIDE at least 20 feet from your home.
LIGHTNING STRIKES:
-Don't shower or bathe during lightning activity.
-Avoid windows, doors and porches.
-Avoid concrete, it has iron rebar running through it that can be hazardous during lightning storms.
-Don't use a corded phone, unless you absolutely must call 911. Cellphones and cordless phones are safer.
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:
-Check the latest weather just before bed so you have an idea how dangerous the conditions might be while you sleep. Have your weather app enabled for your current location.
-Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working and review your family fire escape and tornado sheltering plans. A practice drill of your fire escape plan and your tornado shelter is a great idea.
-When severe weather is predicted, make sure your blankets and padding, helmets, shoes, extra clothes and disaster preparedness kit are in your tornado sheltering area.
-Have spare batteries for flashlights, don't depend on your cellphone.
-Be familiar with the main electric cutoff at your home, and for any fuel cutoffs on propane tanks, solar panels, as well as your water main.
-Prepare a disaster readiness kit for sheltering in your home and know what you will take if you must evacuate quickly.
-Have a plan for your pets. Prepare food, water bowl and other supplies and have everything ready to leave with you. Have your leashes close and ready.
