With Severe Weather Outbreak Possible Today, Here's How You Can Prepare

With a severe weather outbreak appearing more likely this afternoon and evening, now is the time to ensure you are prepared.

Dangerous tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail are possible across a large portion of the Mississippi Valley.

"​Wording we don’t use often: strong to violent tornadoes," wrote NWS Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Elizabeth Leitman in a tweet. "If you’re in the MS Valley from IA/IL/MO to AR/KY/TN/northern MS pay attention to the weather today! Turn on weather radios, cell phone alerts, local TV. Know where you’ll shelter if needed. Be safe y’all."

If you live in the threatened area, you should have multiple ways to receive watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, including via smartphone and NOAA weather radio, that can also wake you up if severe weather happens while you're asleep.

Plan now where to go to seek safe shelter if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued for your area.

I​f you live in a mobile or manufactured home, make sure you know where a community storm shelter or nearby home is that can provide safety.

S​everal school districts in Iowa have announced they will dismiss students early today because of the storm threat.

S​helters, Safe Rooms Ready In Mississippi

H​ere's a list of what locations are open or will open later today, from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Times are local.

-Southaven: City of Southaven, 7312 Highway 51 N.; Hope Sullivan Elementary, 7985 Southaven Circle West (4 p.m.)

-Hernando: Hernando Elementary, 455 Riley Street (4 p.m.)

-Horn Lake: Horn Lake Elementary, 6341 Ridgewood (4 p.m.)

-Olive Branch: Lewisburg Elementary, 1717 Craft Road

-Walls: Walls Elementary, 6131 Delta View Rd. (4 p.m.)

-Grenada County: 260 Mondy Rd., Grenada (4 p.m.)

-Senatobia: Senatobia Elementary School, 301 Marvin Street (4 p.m.)

-Coahoma County: 3240 Friars Point Rd., Clarksdale (on campus of Coahoma County Community College. 3 p.m.)

Safety A​dvice From An Expert

J​onathan Erdman, senior meterologist with weather.com, offers this advice:

— Some areas may see multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms today or tonight. Don't assume once an initial round is through that your severe threat is over. Wait for the National Weather Service to clear your area of a watch. At that point, the severe threat will have passed.

— Treat severe thunderstorm warnings as you would a tornado warning. Severe thunderstorms can quickly spawn tornadoes, and their high winds can down trees onto vehicles and homes. Take shelter as you would with a tornado warning.

— Don't count on tornado sirens to warn you or wake you up at night. They're designed to warn people outdoors. Have multiple ways of receiving warnings (smartphone app/turn on wireless emergency alerts; NOAA weather radio).

— If you're live in a mobile or manufactured home, you need to find another place ahead of time to take shelter quickly when a warning is issued. That could be a community shelter or a nearby home with a basement. It doesn't take a strong tornado to roll or heavily damage a manufactured or mobile home.

— In parts of the Midwest and South, there may be strong winds ahead of, or behind, the severe thunderstorms. These are also capable of at least downing tree limbs and knocking out power. Charge your smartphones or other devices to 100% and make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.

— If you live in an area with an enhanced or moderate risk of severe weather, you should consider canceling any plans this afternoon and evening, certainly anything outdoors or even dinner and evening plans. You don't want to be caught driving around or outside when these storms arrive.

— In short, if you have several ways of receiving warnings, know where to take substantial shelter, and act quickly once warnings are issued, you've done everything you can do to be safe. Be prepared, not scared.

D​isaster Declaration In Kansas

Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency because of the potential for wildland fires and severe storms in the state.

Much of the state is in a Red Flag Warning and high wind advisory with gusts from 45 to 55 mph. The declaration will allow the state to preposition assets for a quicker response to any fires that may begin.

O​ther Ways To Be Prepared

Here is a list of some of our most recent articles that can help you be ready to weather the storms.

How To Stay Safe When Threat Of Nighttime Tornadoes Looms

Nighttime Tornadoes More Than Twice As Likely To Be Deadly

The Dangers Of Mobile Homes During Tornado Outbreaks

What To Do During A Severe Storm If You Live In A Home Without A Basement Or In A Mobile Home

7 Things You Should Never Forget When Tornadoes Strike

The Ingredients That Trigger A Severe Weather Outbreak

How Your Cell Phone Can Help Keep You Safe In Severe Weather

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.