MEMA: Severe Storms Possible Monday

PEARL, Miss. (Press Release) — The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is asking residents around the state to be prepared for severe storms, including the possibility of tornadoes on Monday.

National Weather Service forecasters tell MEMA a strong cold front will begin moving into north and west Mississippi Monday afternoon and continue south and east through Monday night. The threats associated with this system are damaging winds, heavy rains, hail and the possibility of tornadoes.

“We are entering our fall severe weather period as big temperature swings occur with these systems” said MEMA Executive Director Robert Latham. “Please don’t rely on any one way of getting weather alerts, make sure you have several.”

There are many ways you can be alerted to severe weather warnings:

— NOAA weather radios. An essential tool that should be in every home or business.
— Smartphone APPS.
— Wireless Emergency Alert Messages. Make sure these notifications are turned “on” in your phone settings.
— Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
— Local radio and TV stations.
— Community tornado sirens.

In addition MEMA and the NWS recommend taking the following steps:

— Have a family emergency plan and family communication plan. Every member of your family should know where to go, and how to communicate with each other if there is storm damage in your area.
— Check on your family friends and neighbors to ensure they are prepared for severe weather.
— Check and restock your emergency supply kit, in the case that your home is without power for an extended period of time.
— Residents in mobile homes or manufactured housing should consider going to a more substantial structure to wait out the storm.
— If riding in a vehicle, never attempt to outrun a tornado. You should abandon the vehicle and get into a sturdy structure.

For detailed preparedness information, contact your county emergency management agency or go to MEMA’s website at www.msema.org. The best way to get up-to-date information is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on Twitter.