Be prepared for the next time storms threaten

The National Weather Services encourages everyone to have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings.

NOAA Weather Radio can be programmed to sound an audible alarm when a warning is issued for your location. For the deaf and hard of hearing communities, pillow shakers and strobe lights are available. NOAA Weather Radios can be purchased at a variety of price points via several electronics outlets. They make great Christmas gifts!

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) notify you via your phone for certain types of severe weather. Learn more about WEAs here.

The weather is quiet right now, which is the perfect time to prepare for the next time storms threaten. In addition to making sure you have multiple ways to receive NWS storm warnings, it's also a good time to think about your severe weather action plan. If a Tornado Warning was issued for your home right now, would you, and others in your household, know what to do? Where to go? Some of the fatalities in the recent tornado outbreak occurred at peoples' workplaces -- do you know what to do if you're at work when a tornado is approaching? These are important questions that should be answered now, while the weather is calm, so that when severe storms are coming your way you can put your plan into immediate action. Ready.gov has a lot of great information to help you answer those questions and develop a plan.

Ways to receive warnings