This past Monday at the Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting at the courthouse in Carrollton, I shared information on Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week 2025. I talked with the state earlier and Governor Tate Reeves is expected to sign a proclamation designating February 9-15 as Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Here in Carroll County, we will be distributing the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Weather Guides. During the week designated by Gov. Reeves next month will also be the statewide tornado drill.
Also, I have been working with the National Weather Service in Jackson on coming to Carroll County this spring and doing a program at schools.
Another effort that we have made here in the past is to bringing severe weather awareness with coordinating with the state was the MEMA 4 Kids Program. Back in 2019 we had a program here at the schools of the MEMA 4 Kids program which provides in grades K-8 the information, tools, strategies, and the peace of mind needed to be fully disaster prepared. Students through this program were able to take the lead in showing their friends, family, and community how to stay safe in an emergency.
Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a time to plan and participate in drills with efforts for a coordinated response. However, the preparation is a continuing endeavor that includes many different aspects. 2025 will mark two years since the devastating March 24, 2023, tornado that hit our area.
Carroll County Emergency Management Agency is working with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and will have available to students a coloring book titled “The ABCs of MEMA coloring book” that includes many aspects of severe weather from assistance, preparedness storm shelters, and recovery.
These efforts to bring severe weather attention are important and these workbooks are good for students in the efforts of severe weather preparedness.
Here in 2025, we will continue to build on the lessons of the past, with planning and taking precautions in saving lives and property loss. It all begins with severe weather preparedness and awareness.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors and is a member of the MML education committee.
