It’s Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Gov. Tate Reeves has declared Feb. 20-25 as Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. Last year Mississippi saw a record number of tornadoes, with 137 confirmed and nearly 100 between March and May.

At Mississippi Power, employees are encouraged to review their family’s severe weather plan and restock emergency supplies that have expired or may have been used over the last year.

“We have a tried and true storm plan that guides our restoration efforts and helps us safely respond to our customers needs,” said Distribution General Manager and Storm Director Melvin Roland. “It’s important for our employees to have a solid family plan in place before a disaster strikes.”

In 2022, Mississippi Power crews responded after a tornado touched down in Beaumont on Easter and when straight-line winds spawned several tornadoes that knocked out service to nearly 12,000 customers.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are partnering to highlight different types of severe weather and ways to prepare for the upcoming spring severe weather season.

Topics for Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week include:

• Monday – Severe Thunderstorms
  
• Tuesday – Flash Flooding
• Wednesday – Tornadoes (Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:15 a.m.)
• Thursday – Lightning
• Friday – Alerts & Warnings
• Saturday – Mobile Home Safety

MEMA’s Disaster Guide has additional severe weather preparedness tips.

Now in its 98th year of operations, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for nearly 191,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power recently was a recipient of the Community Partner Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative and ongoing efforts to build a diverse workforce. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.