20-03-2025
Weather Wednesday: Creating a severe weather plan
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michiganders are no stranger to severe weather. In fact, last May, four tornadoes hit southwest Michigan in a single day, damaging multiple homes and businesses across four separate counties.
In a press release, Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of MSP/EMHSD says 'severe weather can strike fast. That's why it's important to have a plan to protect yourself, your family, home, and pets.'
This week is Michigan's annual Severe Weather Awareness Week, a week where Michiganders are encouraged to make a plan and stay prepared for severe weather emergencies. The National Weather Service (NWS) of Grand Rapids wants Mid-Michiganders to be prepared for everything from tornadoes to lightning, severe storms, and even flooding.
NWS Grand Rapids says you should take this week to start preparing for severe weather ahead of time so that when storms are in the forecast you are prepared and know what to do—instead of being scared.
On top of being prepared and aware, NWS Grand Rapids wants you to have numerous ways to receive alerts. The sirens you see outside are known as outdoor warning sirens and are meant to be heard when you are outside. However, each community sets them off differently.
Jim Maczko, a Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA National Weather Service states that having multiple ways to receive alerts is key—and to not always rely on the outdoor warning systems in place.
'When it is noisy inside your house or if you are asleep you might not hear the outdoor sirens so by having your phone or even a weather radio is important,' says Maczko. 'It's kind of like a smoke detector for weather and it'll wake you up if that warning issues in the middle of the night. Your cell phone's another means for that.'
Here are a few things you can do to be prepared and aware of severe weather threats as we move into the spring and summer months:
If the forecast is calling for severe weather and/or tornadoes a few days out, start preparing. Make sure you have the supplies you need ahead of time. Know your safe space—and if you don't, start having the conversation with your household and even workplace to get one in place.
Sign up for warnings and alerts for your community. Consider getting a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about the forecast.
Consider some of these questions and start making a plan around them:
'How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?'
'What is my shelter plan?'
'What is my evacuation route?'
'What is my household communication plan?'
'Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?'
As for shelter, if you live in a mobile home without a basement, Maczko suggests going to a different house instead.
Adjust your plan for specific, personal needs, supplies, and location. For instance, consider medical and dietary needs, pets, ages of people in your group, and other personalized circumstances.
Develop an emergency preparedness kit with essential items such as water, non-perishable food goods, a first aid kit, pet food, a NOAA Weather Radio, and a copy of important family documents. Have an emergency meeting place and related contact information. Don't forget about your pets and elderly friends and neighbors!
Just like in school when you practiced fire drills, it's time to practice and make sure everyone knows what to do if severe weather is approaching.
If you want to learn more about how to create an emergency plan and what to do in your more resources are available and
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