RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage residents to protect themselves and their families by making preparations for severe weather. March and April are traditionally the most active months for tornadoes in Virginia and Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 10 – 14.

“Unlike hurricanes and snowstorms, other forms of severe weather – like tornadoes and floods – can pop up with only hours of warning” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Emergency Manager Ed Porner. “While the sky is still blue, it’s a great time to ensure you have an emergency kit, have practiced emergency procedures with your family, and have identified shelter locations in the buildings where you spend the most time.”

RHHD recommends the following tips for preparing for severe weather:

• Locate safe shelters in the places you spend the most time. In each location, find a small room or hallway with no windows, in a basement or first floor. Once you’ve identified your shelter, make sure you communicate that plan with family members or coworkers, so everyone knows where to go when a tornado warning sounds.
• Choose your reliable news source and stay up to date on the weather.
• Consider participating in Virginia’s statewide tornado drill March 11 at 9:45 a.m. More details are available at the National Weather Service website.
  Register for an in-person or online SKYWARN class to learn how to spot and report dangerous storm systems.

RHHD recommends the following tips for staying prepared for emergency situations:

• Store important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies; identification documents; and bank account records, in a waterproof, portable container or make sure they are saved electronically.
• Keep medications in a central location for easy evacuation if needed.
• Prepare a “go-bag: with clothes, toys and toiletries for five days.
• Know, and practice, your safe spaces and exits.
• Identify friends, neighbors, and relatives who might need extra help during an emergency; generate a phone tree or other contact strategy for checking in on them.
• Choose a central spot to reunite with your family if you get separated.
• Update your insurance yearly and consider flood insurance. Most insurance companies do NOT pay for flooding damage through a standard homeowner’s policy.

Visit ready.gov for more emergency preparedness tips. Community members can follow RHHD on Instagram at @richmondcity_hd for updates throughout Severe Weather Awareness week. For more health and safety information, visit rhhd.gov and sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news.

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