RHHD encourages planning and safety during Severe Weather Awareness Week

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) have encouraged residents to prepare themselves and their families in the event of severe weather.

In the morning on Monday, March 9, RRHD shared several tips from Severe Weather Awareness Week, which spans through Friday, March 13.

RHHD recommended taking the following tips for preparing for severe weather:

• Find safe shelters in the places you spend the most time. In each location, find a small room or hallway with no windows, preferably in a basement or first floor. Once you’ve identified your shelter, communicate that plan with family members or coworkers so everyone knows where to go when a tornado warning sounds.
• Choose a reliable news source and stay up-to-date on the weather.
• Consider participating in Virginia’s statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 10 at 9:45 a.m.
• Register for an in-person or online SKYWARN class to learn how to spot and report dangerous storm systems.

RHHD also recommended 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 save them 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, including older adults, people with disabilities, and those without transportation. Create a phone tree or contact strategy to check in on them.
• Choose a central spot to reunite with your family if separated.
• Richmond residents should sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts. Henrico County residents should sign up for Henrico County Community Emergency Notifications.
• Update your insurance yearly and consider flood insurance. Most insurance companies do NOT pay for flooding damage through a standard homeowner’s policy.

For more emergency preparedness tips, visit Ready.gov, an official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.