Stay Ready: Quick Tips to Keep You Safe During Storm Season

by COUNTRY Financial

When those spring and summer storm watches & warnings are announced, it’s not time to panic. It’s time to prepare. We’ve rounded up quick, easy info to help keep your family and home safe. Use the links below for the info you need: 

• Watches vs. warnings
• Severe storm prep
• Storm warning tips
• I need to file a claim right away

Watches vs warnings

It’s very easy to confuse these terms. Here’s an easy way to explain it: 

Watches: This means there’s an increased chance for a severe weather event. This is the time to finalize a plan to protect your family and your home. 

Warnings: This means a severe weather event is either occurring or imminent. You and your family need to take protective action immediately. 

For any type of weather event, the National Weather Service recommends having an emergency preparedness kit.  

Severe weather home prep

If your emergency kit is already prepped, here are some common-sense things to do around your house and property in advance of a storm warning: 

1. Identify a safe shelter in your home and share it with your family.
2. Secure your yard. Remove anything that could turn into a projectile. Think of things like garden tools, patio furniture, outdoor toys or debris. 
3. Continue to monitor local television and radio for the latest updates on the storm.
4. Board up your windows (in case of a hurricane) or prep your storm shutters.
5. Confirm your evacuation plan. 
6. Review your insurance policies.

Storm warnings

Unless your local or state government has issued an evacuation notice, now’s the time to hunker down in the safest spot in your home. 

• Stay away from doors and windows
• Keep your family together 
• Monitor local weather reports for the latest updates

Updated 11-6-25