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Tornadoes

The following are some tips to help you prepare your home and family for a tornado:

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN YOUR HOME DURING A TORNADO:

  • Go to the lowest level of the home, an inner hallway, or smaller inner room without windows, such as a closet or bathroom.

  • Get away from windows and go to the center of the room. Avoid corners, because they tend to attract debris.

  • Get under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table.

IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME:

  • Evacuate the mobile home, even if it is equipped with tie-downs. Take shelter in a building with a strong foundation, or if one is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the mobile home. Tornadoes cannot change elevation quickly enough to pick someone up out of a ditch, especially a deep ditch or culvert.

IF YOU ARE AT WORK OR SCHOOL:

  • Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level of the building.

  • Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls.

  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

IF OUTDOORS:

  • If possible, get inside a sturdy building with a concrete foundation.

  • If shelter is not available, or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.

  • Be aware of the potential for flooding.

IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE:

  • Never try to out drive a tornado in your vehicle. Tornadoes can change direction very quickly and can lift a vehicle and toss it in the air

  • Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby building.

  • If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle.

Floods

WHAT IS A FLOOD?

Flooding can happen anywhere, anytime. Mississippi ranks eighth in the nation for the number of repetitive loss-structures. The state also has more than 5 million acres classified as floodplain, which is the fifth largest in the nation.

Floods can be slow or fast-rising but generally develop during a period of days . Taking precautions now, such as engaging in floodplain management activities, constructing barriers and purchasing flood insurance will help reduce the amount of structural damage to your home and property should a flood occur.

Do you live in a flood zone? Click here to find out: https://www.floodsmart.gov/understanding-my-flood-zone

Click here to see River Forecasts

Are you at Risk? Check out the interactive flood inundation map 

TAKE THESE STEPS NOW BEFORE A FLOOD OCCURS:

  • Purchase flood insurance. You can obtain flood insurance through your insurance company. Flood insurance is guaranteed through the National Flood Insurance Program. You can only purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent or an insurer participating in the NFIP. Typically, there’s a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase until your policy goes into effect.

  • Take photographs and/or videos of all your important possessions. If a flood damages your home, these items will help you file your flood insurance claim. Take these photos or videos with you if you evacuate.

  • Store important documents and irreplaceable personal objects where they won’t be damaged. If a major flood is expected, consider putting these items in a storage facility.

  • Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family.

  • Have an out-of-state relative or friend serve as your family contact person, and make sure everyone in your family knows the contact person’s name, address and phone number.

  • Buy and install a sump pump with backup power.

  • Have an electrician raise electric components such as sockets, switches and circuit breakers at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation

  • Install backflow valves or plug for your drains, toilets and sewer connections.

  • Anchor fuel tanks so they will not be torn free by floodwaters.

Extreme Heat

EXTREME HEAT SAFETY
  • Limit time outside.
  • Stay hydrated.
    • Drink lots of water.
    • Limit alcohol intake.
    • Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
  • Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power during periods of extreme heat. Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
  • Never leave kids or pets inside a vehicle.
     
  • HEAT ILLNESS SIGNS

  • Heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and headaches.

  • Get to a cool place.

  • Sip water.

  • Heat Stroke:

  • Body temperature over 105, no sweating, weak pulse, shallow rapid breathing.

  • Call 911 or get to the hospital!

  • PET SAFETY

  • Don’t let your dog linger on hot surfaces like asphalt and cement. Being so close to the ground can heat their body quickly and can cause burns on sensitive paw pads. Walk your pet early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid hot asphalt.

  • Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut can help prevent overheating, but never shave to the skin, the dog needs one-inch of protection to avoid getting sunburned.

  • Provide access to fresh water at all times. Make certain an outside dog has access to shade and plenty of cool water.

  • Restrict exercise when temperatures soar, and do not muzzle the dog because it inhibits their ability to pant.

  • Many dogs enjoy a swim, splashing in a wading pool, or a run through a sprinkler in warmer weather can help bring body temperatures down.

  • Never leave your pet in a parked car even if you park in the shade or plan to be gone for only a few minutes. The temperature inside of a car can reach oven-like temperatures in just minutes, often in excess of 140 degrees. That quick errand can turn into a disaster and could be fatal for your pet.

Winter Weather

Every part of Mississippi is susceptible to winter weather conditions that include ice and snowstorms. While they are not common occurrences like severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, we must still be prepared.

WINTER WEATHER: KNOW THE TERMS

  • Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to your NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for more information.

  • Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

  • Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.

  • Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

  • Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER:

  • Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.

  • Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.

  • Wear a hat.

  • Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

  • PREPARE YOUR HOME AND FAMILY:

  • Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

  • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.

  • Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.

  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing.

  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.

  • Learn how to shut off water valves, in the case of a pipe bursting.

  • Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.

Radiological

The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program provides first responders and volunteers with radiological training and support to protect the health and safety of the general public and the environment. assists federal, state, tribal and local agencies in the response to events involving the release of radiological materials in the environment. The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program is uniquely qualified to be an integral partner in the success of the state of Mississippi’s Domestic Radiological Preparedness Program. 

This program provides radiological emergency response training to state, tribal, and local agencies through the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, Waste Isolation Pilot Program and Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training Program. The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program accomplishes this by coordinating and conducting outreach activities with other federal agencies and state, local and tribal governments to the degree practical. This includes initial interface with these entities for joint participation in training, drills, exercises, and support for domestic preparedness.

The single biggest threat to the country is the possibility of a terrorist attack against a nuclear power facility, transportation, or our critical infrastructure. Recognizing this vulnerability to our citizens is essential in order to address it proactively. The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program assists state, local, tribal governments and federal agencies prepare for a radiological emergency in the state of Mississippi that can:

  • Mitigate the effects that a radiological or hostile action type of emergency could have on the safety and well-being of the citizens of Mississippi.

  • Identify and initiate actions in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies necessary for government and the residents affected to be prepared to effectively respond when nuclear emergencies arise.

  • Provide for timely response to these events.

  • Set forth the governance that will result in both short term and long- term recovery.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency recognizes its responsibilities with regard to the public’s safety and well-being. The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program recognizes these responsibilities as well and maintains the programs to train, drill and exercise state, local and private entities in the implementation of the state’s radiological emergency preparedness program.

If you live in an area that could be affected by an incident at either of the two nuclear facilities, sirens in your area will alert you that an incident has occurred.

When the sirens are sounded, the Emergency Alert System will be activated, and instructions given on how to respond as to whether or not they should take shelter or evacuate.

  • REMEMBER – hearing a siren or tone alert does not mean evacuate. It simply means turn on your radio and listen for instructions.

  • Stay tuned to your radio, remain calm and follow instructions!

  • Appropriate emergency actions (shelter in place, evacuations) will be taken before there is any danger to the public’s health and safety (see guide for sheltering in place or evacuation).

Earthquakes

The number of earthquakes known to have occurred within Mississippi’s boundaries is small, but the state has been affected by numerous shocks in neighboring states.  The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) Earthquake of 1811 and 1812 was felt in Mississippi as far south as the Gulf Coast and caused the banks of the Mississippi River to cave in as far south as Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to focus on programs essential to earthquake hazard reduction.  The program is broad in scope and includes public awareness and education, training, preparedness, response and recovery planning and mitigation initiatives.  Federal, state and local partnerships play important roles in accomplishing objectives of the program.

One of the main goals of MEMA’s Earthquake Program is to build the best possible working relationship with the emergency management directors of the 18 counties that may be affected by a NMSZ event.

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME TIPS FOR WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE:
IF INDOORS:

  • DROP to the ground; take COVER under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

  • Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

  • Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

  • Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported doorway.

  • Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

  • Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

  • DO NOT use the elevators.

IF OUTDOORS:

  • Stay outdoors.

  • Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.

  • Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects.

IF IN A VEHICLE:

  • Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay inside the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.

  • Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

IF TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS:

  • Do not light a match or lighter.

  • Do not move around or kick up dust.

  • Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

  • Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

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