Severe Weather
There are a variety of ways for citizens to be prepared for natural hazards that they may face. Knowing what to do and where to go in the event of severe weather is critical.

The first step in keeping you and your family safe during severe weather conditions is knowing the difference between weather watches and warnings. A severe weather WATCH means conditions are conducive to the development of severe weather conditions in and close to the watch area. A severe weather WARNING means severe weather events have actually been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.

The second step in keeping you and your family safe during severe weather conditions is preparedness. Below is some information to help keep you and your family safe during severe weather.

Tornadoes
Tornadoes can occur anywhere and at any time of the year. However, Mississippi’s peak tornado season is between the months of March through May. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can occur all hours of the day or night.

Key Safety Tips
  • In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
  • If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor ad get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
  • Stay away from windows.
  • If caught outside in a vehicle, do not try to outrun a tornado. Get out of the vehicle and seek safe shelter. Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
  • Be aware of flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes the majority of deaths and injuries resulting from tornadoes.
  • Mobile homes, even tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. You should leave a mobile home and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter.
  • Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible. Remain alert for signs of an approaching tornado such as a dark, often greenish sky, large hail, or a loud roar similar to a freight train.

Tornado Preparedness

Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas compared to winter storms and hurricanes. Despite their small size all thunderstorms are dangerous. A typical thunderstorm produces a brief period of heavy rain, which lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. In addition to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms are interrelated to other hazards. They can spit out deadly lightning, produce high winds, and large damaging hail, as well as spawn tornadoes.

Key Safety Tips
  • During a thunderstorm postpone outdoor activities and secure outdoor objects that could blow away.
  • Find shelter inside a home, building or hard top automobile (avoid convertibles).
  • Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
  • Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
  • Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
  • Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.
  • Use a battery-operated Weather Radio for weather updates from local officials.

Thunderstorm Preparedness

Flooding
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. However, all floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly over a period of days while flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes. Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather can flood.

Key Safety Tips
  • Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
  • Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
  • Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
  • Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
  • Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

Flooding Preparedness

Tropical Storms / Hurricanes
Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful storms. Their potential for loss of life and destruction is tremendous. Rankin County located over 100 miles inland from Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, is still vulnerable to the unavoidable effects of hurricanes as they come ashore and moves inland. As hurricanes or tropical storms move inland they can produce violent winds, torrential rains, tornadoes, and flash flooding.

Key Safety Tips
  • Stayed informed on pending weather conditions.
  • Fuel and service family vehicles.
  • Have extra cash on hand.
  • Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first-aid supplies, drinking water and medications.
  • Secure light weight objects outside such as garbage cans, garden tools, and lawn furniture.

Hurricane Preparedness

Extreme Heat
In extreme heat and high humidity conditions, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat. The best way to prevent a heat stroke is to drink large amount of water regularly.

Key Safety Tips
  • Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun during extreme heat conditions.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
  • Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
  • Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
  • Never leave children and pets alone in closed vehicles.
  • Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.

Extreme Heat Preparedness

Winter Storms
Rankin County is generally unaccustomed to snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Once in a while, cold air penetrates far enough south resulting in icy conditions. Heavy accumulation of ice can bring down trees, electrical wires, telephone poles and lines, and communication towers. Communications and power can be disrupted for days while utility companies work to repair the extensive damage. Even small accumulations of ice may cause extreme hazard to motorists and pedestrians.

Key Safety Tips
  • During extreme winter weather stay inside as much as possible.
  • When using alternative heat from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater use fire safeguards and proper ventilation.
  • If alternative heat sources are not available close off unneeded rooms in your home, and stuff towels and rags in cracks under doors.
  • Stayed informed on pending weather conditions.
  • Fuel and service family vehicles.
  • Have extra cash on hand.
  • Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first-aid supplies, drinking water and medications.

Winter Storm Preparedness