Severe Weather Preparedness | March 2025

  • Living in the Midwest means being ready for unpredictable weather at any time of the year. March is the perfect time to revisit severe weather preparedness before tornado and storm season is in full swing. Taking proactive steps now can help keep you, your family, and your workplace safe when severe weather strikes.

    Stay Informed

    • Regularly monitor weather forecasts through local news channels, weather apps, and NOAA weather radios.
    • Understand weather alerts and warnings so that you can react appropriately.
    • Ensure your phone’s emergency alerts are activated to receive critical weather notifications.

       

    Build an Emergency Kit

    A well-stocked emergency kit can make all the difference during severe weather. Be sure to include:

    • Bottled water (at least one gallon per person, per day)
    • Non-perishable food
    • Flashlights and extra batteries
    • First-aid supplies and essential medications
    • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
    • Important documents stored in a waterproof container
    • Extra clothing and blankets

       

    Identify a Safe Shelter

    • At home: Designate a safe area away from windows and exterior walls, such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest level.
    • At work: Familiarize yourself with workplace emergency procedures, shelter locations, and evacuation routes.
    • Outdoors: If no shelter is available, find a low-lying area, lie flat, and cover your head with your hands.

       

    Workplace Preparedness

    If severe weather occurs during work hours, acting quickly and staying calm is crucial:

    • Follow company emergency protocols.
    • Move to designated safe areas, avoiding windows, glass doors, and exterior walls.
    • If in a high-rise building, relocate to a lower floor and seek shelter in an interior room or hallway.
    • Use sturdy objects for protection against debris if necessary.
    • Stay in the shelter area until authorities give the all-clear.

       

    Post-Storm Safety

    Once the storm has passed:

    • Check yourself and others for injuries and seek medical help if needed.
    • Assess any property damage cautiously and avoid downed power lines.
    • Report hazards to emergency services and follow instructions from local authorities before leaving your shelter.

       

    Required Tornado Drills

    All locations must conduct tornado drills during March. These drills should be documented and stored for reference. Practicing emergency responses helps ensure everyone knows what to do when severe weather occurs.

    For more information on severe weather preparedness, visit:


    Being prepared can make all the difference when severe weather strikes. Take the time now to plan, practice, and stay informed!