#19,207
For most Americans, a severe weather event is their biggest regional disaster threat; hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, blizzards, Derechos, and ice storms affect millions of people every year. Having a good (and well rehearsed) family emergency plan is essential for any disaster.Today, the upper Gulf Coast is likely to be inundated with flooding rains from an (as yet) unnamed tropical cyclone, while the upper Midwest will be under the gun for a possible outbreak of severe storms, which may include hail, high winds, and tornadoes.
Meanwhile, millions of people who are outside of these areas - particularly across the southeastern and southwestern states, are facing another day of dangerously high heat and humidity.
Welcome to summer in the United States. While NOAA Predicts a Below-Normal 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, they still expect between 8 and 14 named storms and 1 to 3 major hurricanes.
Somewhere between 1000 and 1200 tornadoes are reported each year in the U.S.. Roughly half occur between March and May, making the spring - particularly in the South and Central states - prime time for these storms.
During the summer, the focus for severe weather moves away from the south (Dixie Alley), and into the midwest (aka `Tornado Alley'), although this has been creeping east in recent years.
But regardless of the threat, it is important for your plan to include emergency meeting places, out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it (see #NatlPrep : Create A Family Communications Plan).
Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.
Because it's not a matter of `if' another disaster will strike . . .
It's only a matter of where, when, and how bad.
