Gov. Tate Reeves declared the week of Feb. 20-25, as Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week for the State of Mississippi.
Last year Mississippi saw a record number of tornadoes, with 137 confirmed. Ninety-six of those occurred between March and May of 2022.
Grenada County EOC/911 Director Trebia Rogers wants to encourage everyone to take precautions now before the next weather events come about.
“Grenada has a vast history of being adversely affected by tornadoes,” Rogers said. “Over the past few years we have been very fortunate that we have not been affected by a strong tornado. We suggest that citizens have access to several methods to receive weather updates.”
Grenada EMA in conjunction with Grenada County and the City of Grenada provide various methods for residents to receive severe weather updates. There are four services available.
Code Red is a phone call option that calls Grenada County residents once a weather warning has been issued from the National Weather Service.
“This is the best service to have since the majority of our severe weather is at night when most people are sleeping,” Rogers said. “This service is only available to residents that live in the City of Grenada or Grenada County.”
Your phone will be called if your location (home address) falls within the path of the storm. Your phone will not be called if your home address does not fall in the path of the storm. To register your phone number for the Code Red option, call (662) 226-1076 or email trodgers@grenadaema.org or tclark@grenadaema.org When sending by email, in the subject line, add “weather.”
“You must also add the Code Red phone numbers into your contact list in order for your phone to ring,” Rodgers said. “For the Code Red weather alerts, the phone number is (800) 566-9780 and the Code Red community alerts phone number is (866) 785-6482.”
Nixle, a text message service that warns residents of severe weather watches and warnings that are issued by the National Weather Service is the second option that is offered to Grenada County.
“This is a free service to the citizens that live and work in the Grenada area,” Rodgers said. “Anyone can sign up for this service.”
Text messages may be sent in preparation for severe weather and during watches that may cause substantial damage in the area and during warnings for the location. The service is free, but some provider fees may apply.
To register your number, call (662) 226-1076 to have your number added or email trodgers@grenadaema.org or tclark@grenadaema.org When sending by email, in the subject line, add “weather.”
Outdoor weather warning sirens are located all throughout the county. At one time, there were ten sirens within the city and the county of Grenada. Many are in need of expensive repairs or complete replacement. Grenada EMA is replacing, as grant funding is made available to do so.
Rodgers also encourages residents to not rely only on the outdoor sirens as a precaution.
“Sirens are for outdoor use,” Rodgers said. “They are not expected to be heard inside of your home. Residents need to use an alternate warning source when inside their homes and especially when sleeping.”
Outdoor sirens are tested every Wednesday at noon.
NOAA weather radios can be purchased to use inside of your home. NOAA weather radio sends out information as the National Weather Service issues the information. The radio can be programmed to only alarm for Grenada County or up to seven counties and can be purchased locally or bought online.
“The radios typically run between $30 and $50, depending on what type of radio you decide to purchase,” Rodgers said. “Having this radio, would be like having your own personal siren inside of your home.”
The United States Army Corps of Engineers have installed an outdoor warning siren at Grenada Lake near the Visitor’s Center. New outdoor warning sirens have been placed at Pleasant Grove Community Center, Gore Springs Volunteer Fire Department NO. 2, Northwoods Drive and Holcomb Volunteer Fire Department NO. 2 on Hwy 35 South. Sirens have been approved for Murff Drive, Hwy 7 North, Strider Road, Sparta Road and Providence Road. The City of Grenada will have new sirens installed to replace the existing sirens on Shelly Road, Jackson Avenue, Bryant Street, Wooded Drive and one additional siren to be installed on Dora Drive.
Residents who have a Facebook account can view weather updates by following the Grenada EMA and The Grenada Star pages.
“We are here to serve the community,” Rodgers concluded. “We want everyone to be aware and alert during severe weather. It’s good to have so many options during bad weather. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to give us a call. We will help you get signed up.”
