Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Emergency Management is planning several activities in the county for National Severe
Weather Awareness Week this week. Henry County will be participating in several events
throughout the week and month relating to severe weather preparedness.
According to Ron Watkins, Henry County Emergency Management Director, “The best
way for residents to prepare for severe weather is to be weather aware and have a
shelter plan. Today’s electronic technology devices can assist in receiving important
information so you can have some advanced warning to take the proper steps to protect
yourself and your family.”
So far this year, Henry County has received close to 15 inches of rain. Flash Flooding has
caused roads to flood and several trees and power lines to fall. Director Watkins is
encouraging residents to use this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week as an
opportunity to prepare now for the spring storm season. It is important individuals,
families, schools, businesses, and communities be ready now before severe weather
strikes. Severe weather events impact lives and property in our area every year. The
steps you take this week could make a difference for you and your family in the days to
come. Watkins said, “Northwest TN experienced a very wet winter season this year and
we have been fortunate the worst severe weather has stayed to the north and south of
our area, however, spring is approaching rapidly and once again spring storms could
produce threatening severe weather here again. We need to be prepared.”
On Wednesday, February 27, Henry County will once again participate in The State Wide
Tornado Drill Day. Watkins has asked local schools to practice facility tornado
preparedness plans by conducting a tornado drill in each school. This gives the students
and faculty an opportunity to practice the actual motions to go through if a real warning
were given for our area. Each school in the county has a NOAA Weather Radio, AlertFM
receivers, and access to immediate warning information. The “test warning” will be
broadcasted by the National Weather Service at 9:30 AM Wednesday morning as the
usual weekly test.
Additionally, The Henry County Schools and Paris Special School District emergency
radio communication systems will be tested by the county 911 dispatch center by
passing along the “mock warning information.”
This year’s awareness week will include testing outdoor warning sirens in the county.
Emergency Management reports one siren is out of service at Paris Landing. The new
KOA Campground off at East Antioch Rd is operational.
Additionally, the sirens at Paris City Hall, City of Henry, City of Cottage Grove and Paris
Landing will be tested on the morning of February 27th. Residents should be mindful
when a siren is activated, either a tornado warning or severe thunder storm warning with
high winds has been issued for their area.
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