An area agency is urging residents to be prepared for severe weather this spring, summer and fall.
According to the Cooper County Emergency Management Agency, it will be participating in the National Weather Service’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 2-6.
The week will include the “Statewide Tornado Drill” at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3. The Sirens in Cooper County will sound. The agency encourages everyone to review their tornado plans and practice their plan during this drill. The agency says this is a great time for businesses and schools to conduct a drill, as well.
Cooper County also is scheduled to conduct a second “Tornado Drill” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. “This is so businesses and institutions can drill with a second shift. This would also be a great opportunity to do a home drill for those who were at work or school during the morning drill.”
A Nixle alert with information on tornado safety will go out with each of these drills. The drills will be rescheduled to March 5 if weather in the area prevents the county from participating in the drill on March 3.
Monday, March 2, is “Receiving Weather Information” day. “Make sure you have a way to receive severe weather information. Having a good weather radio is a great way to get important information about threats in the area. It can be set to alert you to weather warnings in your area.”
Tuesday, March 3, is “Tornado Safety Day.” “Now is the time to develop a tornado safety plan before a tornado strikes. Knowing what to do before a tornado occurs is essential to protect lives.” For more information on Tornado Safety and what to do to plan for a Tornado, go to the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/tornado.
Wednesday, March 4, is “Lightning Awareness Day.” At any given moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress somewhere on Earth. There are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. Lightning is extremely dangerous. For more lightning facts and safety information, go to the NWS Lightning Awareness page www.weather.gov/safety/lightning.
Thursday, March 5, is “Wind and Hail Day.” Strong winds and large hail can damage property and cause serious injuries and death. During severe thunderstorms large hail and strong straight-line winds are possible. Take measures to protect your self and stay in a sturdy structure away from windows. Do not go outside during a hailstorm. Serious injury or death can result.
Friday, March 6, is “Flooding Day.” Flooding results in more weather-related fatalities than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. Most deaths occur in automobiles as the are swept downstream after driving in flood waters. “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”
Nixle is a service offered by the Cooper County EMA with the approval of the Cooper County Commission to warn the citizens during emergency events that could impact the lives of the citizens of Cooper County.
“While this service has been around for several years, we just added improvements that will increase the timeliness of the information. It was expanded to include “land Lines” with voice calls along with cell phones, text messages, emails and social media for alerts and warnings. Currently, Text Alerts will come directly from the National Weather Service for certain watches, alerts and warnings. The service will now include voice messages to all the home and business landline phones which have a listed phone number in Cooper County.”
To receive all the text alerts on your cell phones and email, text COOPEREMA to 888777. You will receive a text with the links to finish your signup. You can also sign up at www.nixle.com and click on “Sign Up”. Follow the instructions given. “We encourage all of our citizens to sign up and to provide feedback to the Cooper County Commission and Emergency Management Personnel to improve notifications.”