COLUMBIA, S.C. — Severe Weather and Flood Preparedness Week begins today in South Carolina, sponsored by the South Carolina Emergency management Division (SCEMD) and the National Weather Service (NWS). The purpose of the week is to bring awareness to different types of severe weather in the state and remind people of precautions they can take should severe weather occur.
A highlight of the week is the statewide tornado drill that will occur at 9 am on Wednesday, March 10th. Public schools, emergency management, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association among others will participate in this drill.
Each day of the week includes a different theme.
Today's theme is types of severe weather that occur in South Carolina and there are many types of weather events that people should be prepared for.
Some of the most common forms of severe weather in South Carolina include severe thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, damaging winds, tropical weather, and extreme heat.
While severe weather may not be in the forecast, there are a few things you and your family can do to prepare for any of these types of events today.
The first thing to do is to make a plan and practice this plan with your family. Some questions you can answer in this plan are where you can go in your house to stay safe, where you can evacuate to if need be, and who to call in an emergency.
Next, make sure you have a way to receive any severe weather watches or warnings. This can include a NOAA weather radio or downloading the WLTX weather app.
Finally, it's a good idea to have an emergency kit at home for any kind of disaster. In this kit you should have non-perishable food, extra clothing, cash, bottled water, batteries, and anything else you may need in an emergency.
