Four Severe Weather Preparedness Tools Worth Saving Today

April 23, 2018

As we settle into spring, we exchange lingering winter weather risks for springtime hazards like thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes. The season’s rising temperatures mean devastating storms could pop up anytime, anywhere. In the first three months of last year alone, the National Weather Service confirmed more than 350 tornadoes. That’s why now is the time to prepare your workforce for severe weather – before and after it hits.

Consider these weather safety and response resources to put you on the immediate path to preparedness:

1. Ready Business Toolkits
   These hazard-specific toolkits from Ready.gov are designed to help business leaders build a preparedness and response plan for weather threats like tornadoes, flooding, power outages and more. Ready.gov offers a wealth of other preparedness resources for businesses, including crisis communication and business continuity tools, implementation tips and testing exercises.
2. CDC Storm, Flood and Hurricane Response Resources
   This extensive guide to safe emergency response exists to help protect workers and volunteers from common cleanup hazards. Visit the site for information about disaster site management, generator safety, electrical hazards and more.
3. Weather alert technology
   One of the most important preparedness efforts is being alert to changing weather conditions. Take advantage of severe weather notification systems like weather radios, desktop websites and widgets, and smartphone applications. A few tools to consider are:
   • NOAA’s Weather Radar and Alerts App – For iPhone and Android
   • Desktop sites like com, Weatherbug.com or AccuWeather.com
   • Weather Channel Severe Weather Alerts service

   Find more weather alert resources in the UH Weather Alerts flyer.

4. United Heartland Severe Weather Safety Toolbox
   The UH Severe Weather Safety page is your one-stop shop for additional weather preparedness links and downloadable safety materials for employees, as well as an outline for preparing a written disaster plan.

For more information about severe weather preparedness, contact your United Heartland Loss Control representative and check out the latest vlog from Loss Control Consultant Monika Gierula.