Experts Offer Ways To Be Prepared After Surprise Spring Storms In Green Country

Wednesday’s surprise severe storms show it’s a perfect time to be prepared and put together a severe weather plan.

The hail has melted away, but every dent it leaves on Green Country cars and roofs should serve as a reminder to prepare for Oklahoma's sever weather season.

Jamie Ott, the Broken Arrow Emergency Management Director said awareness is always the first step.

"Very critical this time of year," Ott said. "With that, we need to start paying more attention to our weather surroundings."

Ott said part of staying aware is by paying attention to your local meteorologists, but he also recommends at least two other backups.

"Apps on your cell phone, local radio and TV stations, and also having that NOAA weather radio," Ott said.

Mary Jane Coffman, the American Red Cross disaster program manager, said you should have a kit prepared if you do get an emergency alert.

"We know we need a first aid kit ready to go, but what about adding some extra masks to that?" Coffman said.

In bad weather communication is key. Your phone can be a lifeline but only if it's charged.

"So many of us live on our phones at this point, what do I need to make sure I've got is chargers everywhere. So have I dropped one in that duffel bag, do I have one in the car? Do I have one on and are they all charged up and ready to go? That is our lifeline a lot of times," Coffman said.

Lastly, severe weather can knock out cell service and make local calls difficult.

Coffman and Ott both recommend having an out-of-state emergency contact who knows ahead of time who you're with and where you are.