The end of February and the beginning of March signals a time to hone-in on the possibility of stormy weather. Wednesday marks the beginning of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Jane Marie Wix is the warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. Wix said schools, businesses, and families all need a plan if tornadic or flood conditions arrive.
“Go ahead and act out our plans. That way, we know, and if you don’t have a plan, it’s a good time to build one. But, that way everyone knows what they’re supposed to do when they’re supposed to do it any time we do issue a severe thunderstorm warning or a tornado warning,” said Wix.
Wix said mobile homes are not safe in high-impact winds. She noted it's important to work out a plan for staying in a more stable site before a tornado watch or warning is issued. Wix suggested everyone gets a weather radio. She stressed a weather radio is preferable over relying on a cell phone.
“There are areas where people don’t have cell phone coverage and your cell phone can go dead or you can leave it on silent. There’s a lot of different ways that your cellphone can fail,” said Wix.
Wix said most weather radios today are standardized with similar features.
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