SASKATCHEWAN — Summer storm season has arrived, evidenced by several weather incidents across the province in June, including tornado warnings in southeastern Saskatchewan June 12.

Being proactive rather than reactive is important to helping your family in case of a severe weather occurrence and resulting emergency situations.

One way to stay in the know is to have the SaskAlert app on your phone.

Severe weather can happen suddenly and residents need to be aware of these threats before they occur to be able to protect themselves.

SaskAlert is the Government of Saskatchewan’s emergency public alerting program that provides critical information on emergencies in real time, so you can take action to protect yourself, your family and your property.

Kara Slobodzian, director of marketing and communications for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reminds everyone emergency preparedness is important. “Every year, Saskatchewan faces the possibility of emergencies stemming from both natural and human causes. Severe weather and other events remind us of the need for emergency preparedness.”

The SPSA advises, “it only takes four simple steps to become better prepared for an emergency that include:

– Know the risks.

– Make a plan.

– Get or prepare a 72-hour emergency kit.

– Download SaskAlert to receive alerts of emergencies happening now in your location.”

To learn more about emergency preparedness, visit saskpublicsafety.ca.

Why should you download the SaskAlert app? An emergency alert issued through this provincial alert system will let you know what the emergency is; let you know where it is happening; provide instructions for you to follow to stay safe as well as advise you when the incident is over.

The SPSA website states, “Alerts can be issued by: Environment Canada, Government of Saskatchewan ministries, crowns and agencies as well as participating local governing jurisdictions.”

The website also informs residents Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible to issue all types and levels of weather-related alerts including advisories and special weather statements, watches and warnings.

The EC weather alerts SaskAlert carries are: tornado watches and warnings, and any warnings issued for blizzards, blowing snow, dust storms, extreme cold, freezing drizzle, freezing rain, heat and rainfall, severe thunderstorm, snowfall, wind and winter storms.

Saskatchewan residents can receive alerts by downloading the SaskAlert app, by visiting the SaskAlert website at www.saskalert.ca or following their local radio and TV broadcaster, who will also issue critical alerts issued by federal, provincial and local alerting authorities.

Both provincial and federal government agencies advise residents to be prepared for up to 72 hours in case of an emergency caused by severe weather or other emergency occurrences. Logging onto these agencies’ websites provides lists of items people should have ready to go if an emergency should occur; the lists include water, food, batteries and other emergency essentials.