Be Prepared for Severe Spring Weather

With spring begrudgingly moving forward and summer right around the corner, area residents are looking forward to warm days and sunny skies.

However, this week's tornadoes throughout the south are a strong reminder we’re now in peak tornado season. Wisconsin averages about 20 tornadoes per year, which means residents need to be prepared.

According to the Waukesha County Department of Emergency Preparedness, residents should keep following in mind to prepare for tornado season:

• Learn the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes. A warning means that a tornado has been sighted and you should seek shelter immediately.
• During a watch, have a weather radio with a warning alarm and test battery back up. Keep a flashlight easily accessible in case of a loss of power.
• Listen to the radio and television for information.
• Know your area and keep a map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
• Develop a plan for your family and have periodic drills.
• Identify the safest area in your home for tornado protection.
• Choose a room in the basement, the lowest level in the most interior and smallest room away from outside windows and doors.
• During a tornado warning, move to your planned shelter. Abandon mobile homes and automobiles.
• If you live in a mobile home, plan ahead to seek shelter in a neighbor's home or nearby sturdy structure. Never stay in a mobile home.
• If in a car, leave the car and lie flat in a low-lying area. Do not try to outrun a tornado.
• If outside and unable to reach shelter, lie flat in a ravine, ditch or low-lying area and cover your head.

U.S. Cellular of Wisconsin is offering these tips to residents to prepare themselves in case of a weather emergency:

• Have a plan for severe weather at home. Designate a safe area that you can use to seek shelter, and hold drills from time to time, so that everyone knows the plan.

• Stay charged up. Phones should be charged daily, so that individuals have sufficient battery life when they need it. If driving, keep a car charger nearby to re-charge when you are on-the-go.

•  Have important numbers handy and back them up. Keep all the numbers for local emergency contacts and immediate family stored in a cell phone for easy access in an emergency.

• Store “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your phone. Simply program “ICE” in front of a person’s name or title, such as “ICE Mom” or “ICE Dave,” to help first responders quickly contact these people. Make sure the ICE contact knows about any medical conditions that could affect emergency treatment for an individual, such as allergies or current medication.

• Break through with texting. If phone service is disrupted by a high volume of calls during a storm, try sending a text message.

• Rely on your phone to access websites and applications. When dealing with severe weather, staying up to date with forecasts is critical.