“Be Prepared, Not Scared” for Pending Severe Weather in Hardeman County
Severe weather is expected tonight and this weekend in Hardeman County, and the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) of Memphis, Tennessee, encourages people to “be prepared, not scared!” It can be hard with the unknown, but with a plan in place over what you can control, may make getting through the experience easier and safer.
Some tornado safety tips from the NWS include:
- Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local weather news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings. Make sure your Wireless Emergency Alerts are on and your voice or vibration notification is working.
- At Your House: Have a severe weather sheltering plan in case you need it. If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget pets if time allows.
- At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
- Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.
- In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
Before going to bed, make sure you have easy access to your emergency supply kit, and shoes and clothing in case you need to leave your home quickly. Charge all your mobile devices, battery chargers, and flashlights.
The Grand Junction Safe Haven Room {530 Madison Avenue West in Grand Junction, 38039}, which holds up to 416 people (and does not allow pets) will be opened if determined there is a need by the National Weather Service. The sirens will go off noting the severity of the storm and signify the opening of the Safe Haven Room. In case you are not able to make it to the Safe Haven Room, Hardeman County Emergency Management Agency Director Don Taylor has some advice.
“The center of your home is the safest place to be. Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as you can,” said Mr. Taylor.
For more update-to-date weather notification, sign up for the CodeRED weather warnings for Hardeman County.
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
