April showers may bring May flowers, but it also introduces severe weather including wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Understanding the hazards that impact your community and learning what actions to take if one strikes, increases your preparedness. Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
Ready.gov provides a wealth of information regarding spring and summer weather hazards.
Tornadoes
About 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States every year, and every state is at risk. Tornadoes can strike in any season, but most often occur in the spring and summer months.
Do you want to have a better understanding of the tornado risk you and your community face? Click here to see a map of the United States and see how many tornado have struck your county.
For more detailed information, download How to Prepare for a Tornado, a hazard-specific guide, which provides information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.
Wildfires
Wildfires can occur at any time throughout the year and anywhere in the country. The destruction caused by wildfires depends on the size of the fire, the landscape, the amount of fuel in the path of the fire, and the direction and intensity of the wind.
Do you want to have a better understanding of the wildfire risk you and your community face? Click here to see a map of the United States and see how many wildfires have struck your county.
For more detailed information, download How to Prepare for a Wildfire, a hazard-specific guide, which provides information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.
Floods
Flooding can occur during any season and can happen in any U.S. state or territory.
Do you want to have a better understanding of the flood risk you and your community face? Click here to see a map of the United States and see how many floods have struck your county.
For more detailed information, download How to Prepare for a Flood, a hazard-specific guide, which provides information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes can cause loss of life and catastrophic damage to property on coastlines and several hundred miles inland. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
Do you want to have a better understanding of the hurricane risk you and your community face? Click here to see a map of the United States and see how many hurricanes have struck your county.
For more detailed information, download How to Prepare for a Hurricane, a hazard-specific guide, which provides information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.
Regional Consortium Coordinating Council (RC3) 