RESIDENTS NEED TO BE AWARE OF SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL TODAY

PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to be weather aware this afternoon and this evening. An approaching storm system will move through bringing the possibility of flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for the threat of severe weather moving into the state around 1 p.m. and continuing through the night. The greatest risk of severe weather appears to be for much of central and south Mississippi.

The high winds pose an enhanced threat to areas that received damage during the tornadoes and heavy rains two weeks ago.  Damaged and weakened trees could come down causing more damage and power outages. Also, debris from the storms could be blown around.

“It seems like we are preparing for severe weather every week, but we want to make sure that our residents are prepared,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “No fatalities were reported from the storms a couple weeks ago, and it appears that our preparedness efforts are saving lives.”

MEMA and the NWS also recommend you take the following steps:

• Have a family emergency plan in case a weather warning is issued.
• Tie down any loose debris if possible.
• Check and restock your emergency supply kit in case you are without electricity for an extended period of time.
• Residents in mobile homes, manufactured housing or any type of sub-standard housing should have a safe place to wait out the severe weather.

For more details on family and personal preparedness, visit MEMA’s website at www.msema.org.

The public is encouraged to follow MEMA on Twitter and Facebook for updates. Media with questions can contact MEMA External Affairs at 866-920-MEMA (6362).