Each year, people in this country are killed or seriously injured by all types of extreme weather, despite advance warning.

NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative is about building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.  As part of the Weather-Ready Nation initiative, NOAA, along with partners such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wants to motivate individuals and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of a weather disaster and to share their preparedness steps with others. These actions can save lives anywhere - at home, in schools, and in the workplace before tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme types of weather strike.

However, NOAA and its partners can’t do it alone. A key member of the team is the public. That is why we are encouraging everyone to do their part.  We ask everyone to
“Be a Force of Nature”. 

Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example in your community.

Know your risk

Hurricanes, droughts, tornadoes, snowstorms, flooding – severe weather impacts every part of the country. The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family.

Just for kids! Have little ones at home? Teach them about the weather with Owlie Skywarn. Play a free, online game where you go on a severe weather preparedness adventure and earn a Young Meteorologists Certificate.

What you can do:

1. Bookmark weather.gov to get the latest forecast information.
2. Follow the National Weather Service on Facebook and Twitter.
3. Read the State of the Climate reports to discover historical trends.

Take action

Be Force of Nature by making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes creating a disaster supplies kit and making sure that you can receive emergency messages.
What you can do:

1. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio.
2. Learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts.
3. Create a disaster supplies kit.

Be an example

Be a positive influence on your community by sharing your weather preparedness story. Be a Force of Nature by letting your friends and family know what you did to become weather-ready.
What you can do:

1. Tweet that you’re prepared with the hashtag #BeAForce
2. Share your preparedness story on Facebook.
3. Make sure you have a Family Emergency Plan.