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Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, along with the National Weather
Service, have proclaimed the week of February 9th through
13th, 2009, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Mississippi.
The National Weather Service and the Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency are again asking for your help in spreading
information to the public about the threat of severe weather
and the life-saving measures to be taken when severe weather
occurs.
Severe weather watches and warnings are ineffective if
the public does not receive the message or is not
knowledgeable of the safety procedures to follow. The purpose of
Mississippi Severe Weather Awareness Week is
to provide people with the knowledge necessary to protect their lives
when severe weather threatens.
Whether in the form of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes,
or flash floods, severe weather can develop very quickly. Once a
tornado approaches, or flooding develops, it is too late to start
working on a preparedness plan. When severe
weather develops, and warnings are issued, we must take immediate
action to protect ourselves. Preparing for severe
weather is the theme of this program.
So how does one prepare for severe weather? For a severe
weather preparedness plan to be successful, it
must include the following:
- knowledge of terminology such as watches and warnings,
- a thorough knowledge of safety rules to follow when severe weather strikes,
- a reliable method of receiving emergency information,
- the designation of an appropriate shelter,
- and drills to test the plan.
The National Weather Service will conduct a tornado drill this
year during Severe Weather Awareness week using the Routine Weekly
Test through NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. We would strongly
encourage local Emergency Managers, School Officials, Businesses,
and Home Owners to participate in this drill. The best way to
learn what to do when severe weather approaches is to practice
when the weather is not threatening.
You are also invited to contact the National Weather Service
for interviews, information, or answers to any questions you
may have. In many instances, we are also able to present severe
weather awareness programs to civic and industrial organizations,
schools, amateur radio clubs, and hospital staffs.
For more information, contact any of the following:
- Stephen Wilkinson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Office Jackson, MS
601-965-4638 ext 223
- Alan Gerard, Meteorologist-In-Charge
National Weather Service Office in Jackson, MS
601-965-4638 ext 222
- Greg Flynn
MEMA External Affairs
601-933-6652
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www.weather.gov 
National Weather Service Forecast Office
