MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Severe weather can happen at any time. But, it is always better to be proactive then reactive. So, what will you and your family do if a natural disaster strikes? Are you prepared? Well, this is Mississippi's Severe Weather Preparedness Week.
Emergency Management offices all around the state are taking time to discuss the importance of being prepared. They have been positing videos, informationals and even some trivia questions to their social media pages. Each day there is a new topic of discussion. DeSoto County Office of Emergency management says that their goal is to make sure that all residents are prepared.
Ben McMinn with the DeSoto County Office of Emergency Management "In the state of Mississippi, we are prone to severe weather year round. So, we take an opportunity in the spring and in the fall just to remind citizens of the dangers of the upcoming seasons and just make sure that they have a preparedness kit, make sure that they have a weather radio or some type of device to receive severe weather alerts while they are at home or they are away.
McMinn says that this week is a great example of why this is so important.
McMinn says, "Due to drought like conditions, high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures have created conditions that are favorable for rapid spreading grass fires. So, we are encouraging our citizens to not do any outdoor burning and we are transitioning from that to severe weather all in the same week."
Mississippi is not the only state that will be preparing their residents. Tennessee will be having their Severe weather safety week next week. You can follow your local emergency management office for the latest in your area.