Northwest Iowa — This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. It’s a week set aside by the National Weather Service and Iowa Emergency Management to educate and remind people about the dangers of severe weather — the kind we normally have in the spring and summertime.
Each weekday this week, the National Weather Service is focusing on a different severe weather topic. Today’s topic is “preparedness.”
Warning Coordination Meteorologist Peter Rogers from the Sioux Falls office of the National Weather Service tells us it’s all about being ready and knowing what to do. He says one of the ways you can make sure you are prepared is by participating in a tornado drill.
Weather and emergency management officials urge you to know your surroundings and the types of emergencies or disasters you may face. Weather-wise, in our area, we can expect flash floods, thunderstorms, tornadoes, severe wind, hail, ice storms, and snowstorms. Fires are always a possibility, and we can’t even completely rule out earthquakes, volcano aftermath, or even enemy attack.
They say that one of the things you should have is a disaster “go kit” for use when you might have to evacuate or shelter in place.
One online resource where you can find out more is www.beready.iowa.gov.
