PEARL, Miss. (MEMA) – Governor Reeves has declared February 20 -25, 2023, as Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. Last year Mississippi saw a record number of tornadoes, with 137 confirmed. Ninety-six of those occurred between March and May of 2022.
“We have seen just how important it is to be prepared for severe weather, especially during the spring season,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “I encourage all Mississippians to review their severe weather preparedness plan or create one. Having a plan in place before a disaster strikes can be life-saving.”
“Severe weather can mean more than tornadoes,” says MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. “Mississippi is prone to damaging wind, hail, flooding, and lightning associated with severe weather, and we want people to be prepared for it all.”
Topics for Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week:
| Monday | Severe Thunderstorms |
| Tuesday | Flash Flooding |
|
Wednesday |
Tornadoes
(Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:15 am) |
| Thursday | Lightning |
| Friday | Alerts and Warnings |
| Saturday | Mobile Home Safety |
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is partnering with the National Weather Service to highlight different types of severe weather and ways to prepare for the upcoming spring severe weather season. MEMA urges all Mississippians to have a disaster supply kit stocked with food and water year-round. Knowing a safe place to seek shelter when severe weather is in your area is also essential.
Each day of Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week, MEMA will use informational graphics, videos, and engaging content on these topics. Keep up with Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week by visiting MEMA’s Facebook and Twitter pages and MEMA’s YouTube page. Your local National Weather Service offices will also share additional severe weather information. Four National Weather Service offices cover Mississippi: Jackson, Memphis, New Orleans, and Mobile.
MEMA’s Disaster Guide also has additional severe weather preparedness tips: click here.
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