Tennessee Emergency Management urging residents to prepare for spring severe weather

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are urging residents to prepare for the upcoming severe weather season, especially in the wake of a deadly winter storm.

Related Coverage: Start thinking now about spring severe weather season in Tennessee

The campaign urges Tennesseans to “take action before storms strike” as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week (SWAW), which officially kicks off next week.

“TEMA and the NWS recognize the strain that back-to-back weather events can place on families, businesses, and local governments,” a press release said. “Severe Weather Awareness Week is intended to support recovery by helping Tennesseans take small, manageable actions that can reduce stress and improve safety when the next round of storms arrives.”

TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan said he is aware that preparedness can feel overwhelming. That’s why SWAW from February 15 through 21 breaks getting ready down into small, simple steps each day:

• Sunday, February 15: What to Know Before the Storm
• Monday, February 16: Flooding and Flash Floods 
• Tuesday, February 17: Lightning, the Underrated Killer 
• Wednesday, February 18: Tornado Safety & Preparedness | Show Us Your Safe Place  
• Thursday, February 19: Severe Thunderstorm Safety
• Friday, February 20: Tools to Receive Weather Warnings and Social Media
• Saturday, February 21: Severe Weather Impacts

The TEMA press release shared the following Preparedness Tips for Tennesseans:

1. Know Your Risk - Learn the severe weather hazards most likely to affect your area and how to receive local emergency alerts.
2. Make a Plan - Create an emergency plan that accounts for your household’s unique needs, including children, older adults, pets, and medical requirements.
3. Build a Kit - After a disaster, help may not arrive immediately. Prepare an emergency supply kit with essentials for at least three days for your family and pets. If you are still restocking after Winter Storm Fern, start with what you can, items like water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, and needed medications, and add a little over time. Consider adding a car emergency kit with items such as jumper cables, reflective triangles or flares, a phone charger, and other essentials.
4. Stay Informed - Monitor forecasts from trusted sources and ensure you have multiple ways to receive life-saving alerts, including NOAA Weather Radio and local notification systems.