• While many across South Dakota still have

snow shovels at the ready and are scraping ice off of the sidewalks, it's important to remember that severe weather season is right around the corner. March 3 -9 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week and is a good opportunity to make sure you and your family are prepared for any inclement spring weather headed your way.
• As South Dakotans, we know dangerous weather can strike at any moment. From spring blizzards, flash flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and even tornadoes, the Great Plains is home to some of nature's most fascinating and dangerous weather events. Because of this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are con

tinuing to partner together to increase awareness about the hazards of severe weather and common-sense preparedness tips.
• In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries, despite advance warning, in the United States. However, the better prepared our families and communities are for severe weather, the better we are able to respond to the ever-changing South Dakota weather. One of the first steps we can take is to develop a family emergency plan. It's possible that your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it's important to figure out how everyone will get to a safe place and how you will contact one another. Make sure to also figure out emergency plans at work, school and other locations where your family spends time.

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