Summary
You may have heard that April showers bring May flowers. And indeed, in Oklahoma, spring yields gorgeous native blooms across our state, but those "showers" come most often in the form of severe weather. In fact, spring storms capable of producing high-speed winds, hail, floods and even tornadoes threaten Oklahomans almost daily in the spring.
This toolkit was created for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and its partners to promote #StormSZN safety and equip Oklahomans with the information they need before, during, and after severe weather threatens. It is divided into 3 categories: Prepare, Respond, Recover.
Prepare
Be Weather Aware
#StormSZN is upon us, Oklahoma! 🤠🌪️ Keep an eye on your forecast daily and ready your emergency kit. Make sure everyone in your family knows when, where and how to shelter! Visit https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/tornadoes.html for guidance on #TornadoSafety.
Find your local National Weather Service forecast office at https://www.weather.gov/srh/nwsoffices
#ReadyOK
Multiple Ways to Receive Alerts
It's #StormSZN. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts BEFORE a severe storm comes your way. This can include:
📻 NOAA Weather Radio
📺 Local TV Weather
📲 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
📳 Local Emergency Notification Programs
Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-prepared/twelveways/alertsandwarnings.html
#ReadyOK
Emergency Kit
Will you be ready when the severe weather hits this #StormSZN? If not, it's time to get that way. Keep an emergency stocked and available as part of your shelter plan. Consider including:
📻 Battery-powered/hand crank NOAA Weather Radio
🔦 Flashlight w/ extra batteries
💧 At least 3 day's worth of water and nonperishable food
🥫 Manual can opener
⛑️ First Aid Kit
🔋 Power bank and charging cords for electronic devices
👟 Sturdy shoes, change of clothes and weather-appropriate gear
#ReadyOK
Prepare for Power Outages
Nothing's worse than the power going out and you don't know where your flashlight is, or its batteries are dead 😵 Keep a torch in your emergency kit with extra batteries to remedy this in a jiffy!
#StormSZN #ReadyOK
Respond
Know Your NWS
Do you know your tornado terminology? 🤔🌪️
⚠️ Tornado Watch = Get Ready
‼️ Tornado Warning = Take Shelter!
#ReadyOK
Tornado Sheltering
Do you have what you need to shelter quickly? It's #StormSZN, Oklahoma! Know where your supplies are and be ready to grab them and go at a moment's notice. Better yet - keep them together in an emergency kit!
To shelter, you'll need:
⛑️ Helmets (car seat for baby)
📻 Emergency weather radio
🔦 Snacks, water & flashlights w/batteries
🐾 Pet / baby necessities
👟 Sturdy shoes & work gloves
#ReadyOK
After the Storm
You may think you're safe, but you should exit your shelter carefully ⚠️ Nearly 1/2 of all tornado injuries happen AFTER the storm!
1. Look around. Exercise extreme caution with damaged structures, debris and downed power lines
2. Slow down. Wait for responders - don't move seriously injured people unless they're in immediate danger. Don't remove helmets from injured people.
3. Listen. Listen to local officials and continuing weather broadcasts.
#StormSZN #ReadyOK
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
Thunder's roar is your cue to exit the great outdoors! Head inside as soon as you can to protect yourself from lightning ⚡
#StormSZN #ReadyOK
Turn Around Don't Drown
It doesn't take much to float your vehicle away! Save yourself and first responders the hassle (and perhaps your lives) and find an alternate route 🌊 🚧 🚗 ↪️ #TurnAroundDontDrown
#ReadyOK
Recover
Report Damages
If your property is damaged in storms this season, be sure to report it at damage.ok.gov ⚠️ This survey gives authorities an idea of the extent of the damage across the area, and can influence federal disaster declarations = resources for your recovery 🤩 #ReportDamages
#StormSZN #RecoverOK
