FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2022
(Jackson, Miss.) – The City of Jackson is joining the National Weather Service and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in recognizing October 17-20 as Mississippi Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week.
Severe weather can develop quickly, and as we anticipate temperatures that may reach freezing over the next 24 hours, citizens must stay weather aware and prepared. We join these partners in encouraging Jacksonians to prepare for severe weather by understanding watches and warnings, following safety rules when severe weather strikes, having a reliable method of receiving emergency information, identifying appropriate shelter, and participating in drills.
NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards (NWR) will conduct a statewide tornado drill at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19 in conjunction with the Routine Weekly Test. As a part of Preparedness Week, the NWS and MEMA will focus on flash flooding on Thursday; snow and ice on Friday; and mobile home safety on Saturday. More details about Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week activities can be found at https://www.weather.gov/jan/swpwfall
As temperatures grow colder, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds us to check heating equipment, particularly space heaters, to avoid fires and carbon monoxide exposure.
“This is the time of year when we need to pay special attention to our seniors and most vulnerable citizens to make sure that they are safe as the temperature begins to drop,” said Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. “The State Fire Marshal has already reported nine lives lost in Mississippi due to fires caused by heating equipment. It’s going to take each of us checking on our neighbors and making sure that we are paying attention to weather alerts and warnings to get us through the severe weather season safely.”