Corps of Engineers encourages severe weather awareness

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is proud to join and promote the campaign to encourage everyone to Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example where you live.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Ready Campaign, America’s PrepareAthon! and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are teaming up to highlight the importance of preparing for severe weather before it strikes. This spring, take time to learn what hazards may impact you. This includes taking action by making a kit and having a plan.  

Taking preparedness actions can save lives and protect property anywhere – at home, in schools and in the workplace. In 2015, there were 10 weather and climate disaster events, each with losses exceeding $1 billion. Overall, these disasters resulted in more than 150 fatalities and had significant economic effects.

Know your risk: Learn what hazards pose a risk where you live and work and their potential impact on you, your loved ones and your community. The National Weather Service’s website explains the basics of severe weather at Weather-Ready Nation.  

Take action: Develop an emergency plan and practice how and where you will evacuate if instructed by your emergency management officials. Post your plan in your home where visitors can see it. You can also take action with America’s PrepareAthon! 

More information can be found at www.mvp.usacea.army.mil or http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml. Information on the different types of hazards is available at ready.gov.  

The nearly 600 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the Corps’ Fiscal Year 2015 $100 million budget, nearly 1,600 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $155 million to the national economy.

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