The worst parts of Tuesday’s severe weather didn’t come through Dallas County, leaving us all with something to be thankful for when we went to bed.

The southern part of the state, the panhandle of Florida and many in Mississippi and Louisiana weren’t as lucky. Hopefully, we’re done with severe weather for at least a couple of days. Nothing severe is forecasted over the next few days, meaning we should get a break after 48 hours of almost consistent rain.

But that doesn’t mean we should forget about the weather.

If anything, the last few days should remind us just how important it is to make a plan for when severe weather does strike. In today’s world, there are so many ways to get weather information. Many apps are available to see an up-to-the-second version of the radar and all of the current watches and warnings.

The Birmingham National Weather Service frequently updates Facebook and Twitter during severe storms in effort to keep Alabama citizens safe. There’s really not an excuse for not knowing what the weather is like, but that’s only half the battle. It’s important for families to make a plan for where to go when a tornado warning is issued for their local area. The American Red Cross gives the following safety tips for when a tornado warning is issued:

• The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
• If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
• Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds. Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home.
• If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately.
• Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately, using your seat belt if driving.
• Do not wait until you see the tornado.

The skies will hopefully be clear over the next few days and that’s a positive. However, at some point, severe weather will again impact the state in the form of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

Now is the time to make sure your family is ready for when that day comes.