Dealing With Storm Anxiety: NWS Meteorologists’ Tips On Families Staying Connected
Stay connected with your family and be prepared during severe weather with these tips from NWS meteorologists! 🌪️ #StormAnxiety #MidwestStrong #WeatherTheTogether
Winona, MN – As Midwesterners, we’re no strangers to severe weather. From thunderstorms to tornadoes, these powerful forces of nature can leave us feeling anxious and vulnerable. In this final installment of our five-part series, we’ll explore how to stay connected with loved ones and prepare for the worst-case scenario, all while keeping a positive outlook.
🤝 Staying in Touch During the Storm
When severe weather strikes, it’s not uncommon for cell phone service, internet access, and electrical power to be affected. That’s why it’s crucial to have a plan in place to stay connected with your family and friends. FEMA recommends creating a paper copy of your family’s contact information and other important phone numbers. Make sure everyone carries a copy in their wallet, backpack, or purse, and post it in a central location at home. And don’t forget, text messages may get through when a phone call can’t!
🌎 Designate an Out-of-Town Contact
Consider picking someone outside your community who can act as a point of contact to help your family members reconnect. During a disaster, making a long-distance phone call may be easier than trying to call across town.
🔋 Keep Your Devices Charged and Ready
On severe weather days, make sure your phone, laptop, tablet, and other devices are fully charged. Think about investing in a backup power supply or battery pack, along with a car charger for your mobile devices. This way, you can stay in touch longer if you lose electrical power.
🏠 Planning Ahead for Family Safety
When severe weather is on the horizon, use the storm timing forecasts to make a plan with your family. Determine a time when everyone should be home, so you can weather the storm together.
🌪️ Preparing for the Worst-Case Scenario
While the chances of a tornado causing you to lose everything are small, it’s still a good idea to be prepared. Learn from those who have experienced this and take steps to be ready. Store the supplies you may need after the tornado passes, keep important documents handy for recovery, discuss and practice your plans with your family, and consider making your home more storm-resistant.
😊 Keeping a Positive Outlook
In the face of severe weather, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious. But remember, you’re not alone! By staying connected with loved ones, preparing for the worst, and keeping a positive outlook, you can weather any storm that comes your way. So, take a deep breath, smile, and know that brighter days are ahead!
🌈 Conclusion: Onward and Upward!
And there you have it, folks! We’ve covered a lot of ground in this five-part series on dealing with storm anxiety. From understanding your fears to staying connected with loved ones, we hope these tips from NWS meteorologists have helped you feel more prepared and empowered. It may be comforting to bookmark the weather section of our Midwest travel blog: we publish info from the NWS daily.
Remember, knowledge is power, and by arming yourself with information and a positive outlook, you can face any storm that comes your way. So, keep your chin up, your devices charged, and your family close. And don’t forget to check out our Midwest travel articles for more helpful advice to have fun on those sunny days ahead! Need some uplifting stories? Wake up with Kitty’s daily podcast: it’s like a cup of coffee, a chat with a bestie and a hug from mom – all rolled into two or three minutes!
🗣 Do you worry about the weather? Suffer from storm anxiety? You are NOT alone! We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
