Weather Ready: Now is the time to review your severe weather safety plan

Six tips for reviewing your severe weather plan right now including finding your safe place, then join us to show how you are weather ready as part of #safeplaceselfieday on Wednesday, April 3

Are you and your family weather ready? Civic Media’s Meteorologist Brittney Merlot and “Slice of Wisconsin” Host Teri Barr have pulled together six tips for reviewing your severe weather safety plan right now. This includes the importance of finding your safe place. And join us as part of #safeplaceselfieday on Wednesday, April 3 to show how you are weather ready.

Wisconsin is springing into what’s typically the severe weather season, but there now seems to be a year-around need for awareness after tornadoes and fire dangers during the winter.

Checking out my safe place! We live in a two-story townhouse so it turns out, it’s in the bathroom, an interior room without windows.

Brittney Merlot’s post for #safeplaceselfieday

If you haven’t reviewed your own safety plan lately, now is the time. And in our first Weather Ready series of stories, you’ll find some quick tips below, along with a way to show off your awareness as part of #safeplaceselfieday.

1. Determine your local weather worries. What are the natural hazards in your area? Tornadoes? Flooding? Lightning?
2. Locate your “safe place” so you are prepared when a storm strikes. It could be a shelter, your basement, or an interior room during a tornado. If it’s a flash flood, go to high ground, and avoid flooded roads. And for lightning, head inside a building or a hard-topped car with the windows rolled up. All of these safe places are essential and could save your life!
3. Prepare by having multiple sources to receive your alerts and warnings. Add an emergency kit to your safe place.
4. Practice where to go and what to do. Be sure your family has a communication plan so there is no hesitation when you need to take cover.
5. Learn about the potential for any weather hazards while you are traveling. An example? Rip currents or high surf can easily surprise people who are out enjoying what may look like a normal day in the water.
6. Become an example for being weather ready. Take a selfie in one of your safe locations or a general photo of your safe place. Post it on your social media including #safeplaceselfieday and encourage others to do the same on Wednesday, April 3rd. Find more information about it here.

It’s simply a fun way to emphasize the seriousness of being weather ready.

Do you have a question or want to see a topic covered in our Weather Ready series? Send your email to Brittney Merlot at brittney.merlot@civicmedia.us or Teri Barr at teri.barr@civicmedia.us for consideration.