# 7388
A brief reminder that the Storm Prediction Center has forecast a moderate risk of severe storms across much of the upper Midwest today.
The area covered includes 81,100 square miles, and more than 20 million people living in places like Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Ft Wayne, and Aurora.
The risk for severe weather moves further east tomorrow, to include Washington D.C, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
It was almost a year ago when an unusually strong storm front, known as a Derecho, swept across parts of the Eastern United States – killing 15 people – and leaving millions without electrical power for more than a week (see Picking Up The Pieces).
A reminder that it doesn’t take a named storm to ruin your entire day, week, or month.
No matter where you live, now would be a good time to double check your NOAA weather radio, flashlights, and first aid kit.
You should also review your family’s emergency communication plan - and if you haven’t already done so - decide where you would go in your home or business if severe weather threatens.
Every home and office should have a NOAA weather radio. Once thought of as mainly a source of local weather information, it has now become an `All-Hazards' alert system as well.
In order to receive these broadcasts, you need a special receiver. Many of these radios have a built in `Tone Alert', and will begin playing once they receive a special alert signal from the broadcaster.
To keep track of severe storm forecasts, you can visit NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center online. There you’ll find interactive maps showing current and anticipated severe weather threats all across the nation.
For those on the go who would like an app (android or iPad) that will sound an alert when tornado warnings are issued in your area, the American Red Cross has recently released one.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, large and small, the following sites should be of assistance.
FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm
READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/
