Whitney Downard / The Meridian StarIn case of extreme weather, emergency officials recommend residents stock up on essentials such as non-perishable food, extra medication and bottled water. 

With natural disasters and severe weather a near-constant threat, the United States Department of Homeland Security has declared September as National Preparedness Month. 

Hurricane Harvey’s rain and wind left a trail of death and destruction in Texas and battered other parts of the southeastern United States and Hurricane Irma is heading toward the Caribbean and could reach the United States mainland by the end of the week. Closer to home, hurricane season extends through Nov. 30 in Mississippi.

With this in mind, the Mississippi Department of Transportation asks residents to prepare for situations such as these in advance.

Scott Spears, the Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency director, recommended that residents keep up with weather forecasts through local media. 

“Be prepared with at least two weeks of supplies,” Spears said. “One of the lessons learned in (Hurricane) Katrina (in 2005) was that, even if you can get to a grocery store, they might not have what you need.”

Spears recommended residents stock up on non-perishable foods, bottled water and medications. If you have a generator, he said that generator should be checked before the storm and have plenty of fuel.

“Don’t wait until the day of the storm,” Spears said. 

Spears also suggested that residents clean their yards of debris and secure outdoor items such as garbage cans. Spears said these items can get stuck in storm drains, clogging them and potentially triggering flooding. 

Spears said that Meridian, however, likely wouldn’t get the same level of flooding seen in Houston.

“We’re not on the coast and we’re not flat,” Spears said. “As far as flooding goes it’s going to be flash flooding, where it quickly comes and quickly recedes.”

Once in shelter, Spears said people should avoid windows and stay on the lower levels of their homes in a tornado or thunderstorm, the most common severe weather in Lauderdale County. 

“It’s generally not a good idea to be in a vehicle or mobile home but sometimes that’s not an option,” Spears said.

During a storm, if driving, MDOT advises drivers turn around rather than driving through standing water, turn off cruise control, use their headlights and turn the radio on in order to listen to emergency broadcasts. If in extreme weather, such as a hail storm, MDOT suggests immediately pulling off the road to seek shelter.