CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is partnering with the National Weather Service to promote this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Columbia Gas of Virginia is working to get the word out and the company’s Stephanie Benson says now’s the time to prepare… a time of relative calm before the storms. The number one message is have an emergency plan and practice it with your family… including plans for communication, evacuation, and sheltering. Benson says it’s a good idea to label gas valves, water valves and electricity main switches and teach responsible family members how and when to turn them off.

Click here for more tips and information from Columbia Gas.

Click here for more from FEMA.

Click here for a NOAA Weather Partners video on the difference between a weather “watch” and “warning”.