As storms head your way, 10 things you need to prepare

How to prepare for a storm

The first storm watch of the season has already been posted for Florida and Cuba. As the climate continues to change, these storms become more and more volatile. Areas of the country that used to only experience mild weather are now subject to destructive storms and other natural disasters. No matter where you live, you need to know how to prepare.

As we’ve seen with the recent shortages, essentials might not always be in stock for a quick purchase. The best thing you can do is get the items you need now. Here are three steps of storm preparation and 10 items you’ll want to have on hand when a storm is approaching.

The three steps of storm preparation

No matter what type of storm is coming — a thunderstorm, a hurricane, a tornado or a winter storm — there are three things you need to do to prepare: educate, create and gather.

Educate

Not all storms are the same. The first step to being prepared is to educate yourself so you understand the timeline and risk factors.

Timeline:A hurricane, for example, begins as a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. After one forms, there is a cone of uncertainty predicting where it will make landfall and how it will travel across the country. With a hurricane, you will know three to five days in advance if you are in the path of the storm.

A tornado, on the other hand, can happen whenever warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air. It can take you by surprise. This is why there are tornado watches and tornado warnings. A tornado watch lets you know when the weather conditions are such that a tornado could form. A tornado warning, however, alerts you that a tornado has already been identified in your area.

Understanding the timeline of different types of storms lets you know when you need to act.

You can continue to learn how to best prepare for storms here.