Politics & Government

Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan

Lawmaker who represents Hartland provides updates and views on various topics.

By Cindy Denby

Michigan recognized April 15 to 21 as Severe Weather Awareness Week, a great opportunity to remind residents to have a plan in place in preparation for a weather emergency. According to the Michigan Committee of Severe Weather Awareness, in 2011 there were 15 twisters and 38 flooding events in the state. This severe weather resulted in four deaths and more than $150 million in damages. The recent tornado that occurred just last month in Dexter is also a reminder of why being prepared is so important.

The first step in preparing for severe weather is identifying the safest shelter in your home and workplace. Load bearing walls near the center of a basement or the lowest level generally provide the best protection. It's also important to be aware of shelter areas in public facilities such as schools, shopping centers or other public buildings. It is a smart idea to put together emergency kits for both your home and car. These can include items such as first aid kits, flash lights, water, battery operated radio (and extra batteries) and a cell phone. 

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It is also extremely important to take steps to protect all of your valuable documents. When doing this it is also a good idea to create an inventory of your furnishings and possessions in case they are lost or damaged in a storm. In preparation for severe weather, the Insurance Institute of Michigan also recommends that residents check their insurance policies. Tornadoes are considered "windstorms" and are covered by almost all homeowner's policies. Flooding however is not covered under normal home policies; but it is available for purchase through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Paying attention to storm warnings also is very important to protect your family. Always make sure to stay alert and follow the news during a tornado or thunderstorm watch. If a tornado warning is issued, go immediately to your shelter location and take your emergency kit with you. Also keep away from windows and chimneys, and abandon mobile homes or cars.

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Livingston County Emergency Management department has great resources to help residents prepare for emergencies including valuable tips and an emergency preparedness quiz. These tools are available on the Livingston County website at http://co.livingston.mi.us/EmergencyManagement/preparedness.htm.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov


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