Mississippi Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week

October 2-7, 2023 is Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. The National Weather Service, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and other supporting organizations ask for your help in providing the public with information about severe weather safety. Advanced planning and increased awareness will help residents of Mississippi survive these deadly storms.

Severe weather watches and warnings are ineffective if the public does not receive the message or is not knowledgeable of the safety procedures to follow. The purpose of Mississippi Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week is to provide people with the knowledge necessary to protect their lives when severe weather threatens, especially during the fall and winter months.

Whether in the form of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flash floods, severe weather can develop very quickly. Once a tornado approaches, or flooding develops, it is too late to start working on a preparedness plan. When severe weather develops, and warnings are issued, we must take immediate action to protect ourselves. Preparing for severe weather is the theme of this program.

So how does one prepare for severe weather? For a severe weather preparedness plan to be successful, it must include the following:

knowledge of terminology such as watches and warnings,
a thorough knowledge of safety rules to follow when severe weather strikes,
a reliable method of receiving emergency information,
the designation of an appropriate shelter,
and drills to test the plan.

Tornado Drill on Wednesday, October 4th.

This will be conducted at 9:15 am, using the Routine Weekly Test through NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. We strongly encourage local emergency managers, school officials, businesses, and home owners to participate in this drill. The best way to learn what to do when severe weather approaches is to practice when the weather is not threatening.

Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week Schedule
Monday, October 2nd	Make A Plan
Tuesday, October 3rd	Severe Thunderstorms
Wednesday, October 4th	Tornado Safety There will be a statewide tornado drill in conjunction with the Routine Weekly Test at 9:15 am.
Thursday, October 5th	Flash Flooding
Friday, October 6th	Warning Reception
Saturday, October 7th	Mobile & Manufactured Home Safety

Additional Information
Here are a couple of links to helpful information: Mississippi Tornado Statistics and NOAA Weather Radio

You are also invited to contact the National Weather Service for interviews, information, or answers to any questions you may have. In many instances, we are also able to present severe weather awareness programs to civic and industrial organizations, schools, amateur radio clubs, and hospital staffs.

For more information, contact any of the following:

Michael Hill, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Office: Jackson, MS
601-936-2189

Todd Beal, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Office: Memphis, TN
901-544-0405 ext. 223

Jessica Chace, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Office: Mobile, AL
251-633-6443 ext. 223

Lauren Nash, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Office: New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA
985-645-0899

Malary White
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency External Affairs
601-933-6841