Office of Emergency Management Gives Guidance for Storm Season

Teaming up with the National Weather Service, our local Office of Emergency Management reminding everyone that this is Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week.

During the months of March, April, and May, people in east Tennessee should be prepared for inclement weather.

“This is a great time to remind our residents that if you have an emergency plan, look at it, make sure it’s up to date. If you don’t have an emergency plan, this is a great opportunity to sit down with you and your family and create your emergency plan,” said Amy Maxwell of the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management.

The Office of Emergency Management recommends that you have two plans in place — one for severe weather and one for fires.

“For severe weather, you need to pick the safest place in your house, whether it’s a basement, a storm cellar, an interior room of the lowest point of the floor, away from windows and doors.”

In the case of a fire, it’s recommended that you choose a place outside where your family will know to congregate.

The Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross also recommend preparing an emergency kit with items that you may need in the case of a power outage, water shortage, or other adverse situation.

“One of the key things you’re going to want in it is some food, some extra food, extra water, especially because if there’s something like a tornado or flooding and you get stuck at home. Ideally you’d want to have at least three days of those supplies,” said Courtney Calbert of the Red Cross.

To stay informed, the Office of Emergency Management recommends using a weather radio. For the next two weeks, News 12 will be giving away weather radios to the twelfth caller into our Prime News at 7 Broadcast.

An instructional video on how to set up your weather radio can be found at the following link: https://www.wdef.com/weather/weather-radio/