How do I become "Weather Prepared"?

From organizations all the way down to individuals & families

Weather affects all of us, from our families, to where we work...from the smallest start-up to the largest organizations. We often deal with weather, but are we ready for anything nature can conjure?  The Mid-Atlantic region gets almost every weather theat there is, on the backdrop of the place more than 10 million of us call home. Some are rare, some are common, but we need to be ready for all.

Being weather ready not only allows us to respond to weather, but it allows us to be aware of what is coming, be prepared for it, and respond efficiently & safely.

If you:

• are aware of what hazardous weather is coming in advance
• have a plan for it that gets activated before the threat arrives
• train on your plan before the threat arrives

...then your outcome will be much better than your neighbor who responds when the threat arrives in a panic.

Being weather prepared saves lives, and ensures you are much more resilient after the threat passes. While making a large organization takes more time, resources, and planning to be weather prepared than an individual who only has to worry about themselves, the steps are straightforward for all:

• Education on weather threats that can affect you. Not only the routine threats (like snow), but the rare 1 in 100 year events like landfalling hurricanes and violent tornadoes. The extreme threats you haven't experienced, but have happened in the past, and will happen again.
• Receive weather warnings in advance, through a few different means.
• Have plans for what you will do.
• Plans need triggers to ensure they are activated.
• Disseminate important weather response information, through a few different means.
• Periodic training & review of your plans.

Click on the checklist below that most applies to what you are trying to make weather prepared. Follow it through, and check all the requirements, and you can recognize yourself as being part of a Weather Ready Nation. Not only that, but you will have made yourself, your family, your location or you business much safer from the dangers nature can throw at us.

Send any comments or suggestions for improvements to christopher.strong@noaa.gov .

To become "Weather Prepared", complete the checklist below that most applies to you:

• Campgrounds

• Large outdoor events

• Individuals / Families

• Major Ballparks, Stadiums and Arenas

• Multi-Agencies or Large Organizations

• Schools 

• Shopping Centers and Malls

• Sport Recreation Leagues

• Universities and Military Bases 

When You Are Complete, Register as Weather Prepared:

• Print out your recognition (here)
• Register as Weather Prepared (here)

Congratulations, and thanks for helping the National Weather Service make our nation a Weather Ready Nation!