Chesapeake In The Know

Chesapeake recently earned an improvement in its National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. This will translate to an extra 15% discount on flood insurance premiums for those who live in the floodplain (who are required to get flood insurance unless they own their home outright). This is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Chesapeake Division of Emergency Management. The timing is spot on considering hurricane season is just a few months away and Severe Weather Preparedness Week is this week.

In addition to looking into flood insurance, here are a few other things to keep in mind going into this busy weather season.

Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch is when conditions are favorable for producing severe weather. A warning means it’s imminent.

Tornadoes do happen in Chesapeake, as do lightning strikes, so don’t discount those dangers. Pay attention to the weather and find shelter if a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning is announced.

Discuss with your family and children where your severe weather safe zones would be for all the different places you frequent (home, work, car, grocery store, etc.) For severe weather, look for a room on the lowest floor with no windows. If you’re outside, get into a vehicle or if there isn’t one, lie as low as you can, preferably in a ditch.

Download a weather app and activate emergency alerts on your phone so that it pushes those alerts directly to you. Sign up for Chesapeake Alert (CityofChesapeake.net/ChesapeakeAlert) where you can choose to receive text messages and calls about severe weather.