JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – As Spring approaches in Mississippi, neighbors need to be prepared for severe weather in the state.
Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) has declared February 11-17, 2024, as Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Entergy Mississippi is encouraging customers to observe the week by making a plan, keeping a kit, and staying informed.
Last spring, Entergy’s service area saw devastating damage after an EF-4 tornado swept through the Mississippi Delta, destroying more than 700 distribution poles.
Part of Tylertown High School damaged by overnight storm
Entergy officials are asking customers to be prepared for an emergency this spring:
- Make a plan . Sit down with your family and share all emergency contact information, so everyone knows how and who to alert. Designate one or more out-of-town contacts. Be aware of the emergency plans at work, and if applicable, your children’s school or elderly family members’ residences if they do not live with you. If your household depends on life-support or other medical equipment , discuss with your physician, including alternate living arrangements, should unplanned, extended outages occur.
- Keep a kit nearby. Experts agree it’s a good idea to have items such as non-perishable food, plenty of water, flashlights, a first aid kit with extra batteries and a portable phone charger on hand and easy to access in case of storms. Remember to check the expiration dates on your supplies often and replace the expired items.
- Keep up with weather updates. Install a smart phone app that will alert you when severe weather is in the area, or sign up for emergency alerts on your smartphone. A weather radio with a loud alarm can also help wake you when severe weather threatens overnight.