Blog 6: Mindful Preparedness - Staying Informed Without Overwhelm
Understanding the Risks: Using Knowledge to Empower
Severe weather risks are, unfortunately, an inevitable part of life for millions in the United States and across the world. Preparedness for those events isn’t just an option— it’s a necessity. One of the first and most critical steps in that process is arming yourself with knowledge of severe weather risks in your area.
Arming yourself with knowledge is important for two reasons: the first being —you guessed it— physical safety. Knowing what the type of weather threat is, where it’s expected, how strong it’s expected to be, and where you can shelter from it is arguably the most critical step to severe weather safety. Knowledge of severe weather also serves a second role — one of empowerment.
Though this doesn’t apply to everyone in the path of severe weather, there is a group of people (many of whom are unwilling to admit) that they feel anxious or stressed during impending severe weather. Understandably so. Whether or not they realize, utilizing knowledge of severe weather risks and how to assess them is a major step in confronting and taking power back over that fear. Without knowledge of what we are to face, fear and anxiety are bound to arise.
Developing Your Plan: Bolstering Confidence in Your Safety
Having knowledge of severe weather impending in your area without creating a plan to mitigate that risk is like knowing you’re lactose intolerant and still drinking that whole milk latte anyways — you’re probably not going to like the consequences.
Once you’ve effectively assessed the severe weather risk in your area, be it tornadoes or flash-flooding — it’s time to create a tailored plan to address those specific risks.
Creating a well-thought-out emergency plan doesn’t simply consist of knowing where your closet is. A good emergency plan has a specific step and alternate for any possible scenario, AND it includes practicing that plan yourself or with your family.
Let’s say you are creating a tornado preparedness plan for your family in Mississippi for a nocturnal event coming up. That plan should be much more than everyone knowing where the interior bathroom is. That plan should include: ensuring weather alerts are on and audible, a NOAA weather radio, a backpack with any supplies needed, medications ready to go, shoes and helmets near your shelter, and a practice round of everyone getting in that bathroom quickly.
Everyone’s severe weather plan looks different, and you can see how this well-crafted plan prepares for much more than a simple dash to the closet as a hypothetical tornado is already on top of you (though some sheltering is still better than none). This practice of a plan reinforces a sense of preparedness and familiarity, reducing stress during actual emergencies. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to identify any gaps in the plan that can be addressed beforehand.
Again, for those who struggle feeling overwhelmed during those severe weather days and scary nocturnal tornado threats— it’s about doing what you can to take control of that seemingly uncontrollable risk or unknown that severe weather brings. When you KNOW you have a solid plan to address any threat that might arise to you or your family, you’re going to feel more at ease.
Aware Without Overwhelm: Choosing Your Knowledge Intake
While staying informed on weather updates is a critical part of staying weather aware, you don’t need to overwhelm yourself. Pick a few reliable sources of information (be sure at LEAST one of them is a professional or government resource) that will give you all the information you need. Though it can be tempting, checking weather updates all day can serve to only further anxiety for those who might already be uneasy. Be aware and have your preparedness plan — but also be sure to protect your mental peace and focus on periodic, critical updates rather than a constant bombardment of small details.
While we’re on the topic — choosing reliable resources also means to avoid unreliable sources of information that only promote panic or hyping of weather at all cost.
Emotional Well-Being: Alleviating Stress
Maintaining a positive headspace and emotional well-being during severe weather can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Along with choosing your weather intake resources wisely, practicing self-care during a big severe weather day can be extremely beneficial. And no, we’re not talking about taking a relaxing bubble-bath.
Self-care and maintaining a positive headspace during times of stress might include practicing your favorite hobby, talking to friends, or playing a video game to distract yourself — anything that helps to alleviate stress.
While being weather aware is of upmost importance — if you’ve followed all the prior steps to craft a plan, there’s no need to over-worry or stress yourself out unnecessarily. Ensuring your mental well-being should also be a part of your severe weather safety plan.
Have confidence that you are knowledgable, you have created a safety plan, and you are not alone.
Conclusion: Empowerment Through Preparation
As we always stress here at Two Storms, preparing for the storm is just as much about mental resilience as it is about physical safety. We know that severe weather brings stress and uncertainty, and we want to empower you with the ability to feel confidence in your safety.
Remember, while we can’t always prevent the storm, we can equip ourselves with the confidence to face them.
