With spring comes the need to prepare for severe weather, and this year is no exception, says Jan Steen, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

To be ready for disasters, Steen suggests creating a visual inventory of property and valuables through photos or videos, which can help with insurance claims. These should be backed up and updated as new items are purchased. Having an emergency plan is crucial, including knowing where to go during severe weather or fire. An emergency kit should be easily accessible for quick evacuation.

Important documents like insurance policies, bank details, and identification should be printed and stored in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box or emergency kit. Using cloud storage and physical backups like thumb drives ensures access to vital files if a computer is lost or damaged.

An extra phone charger and a portable power pack can be lifesavers during power outages. Some NOAA weather radios even have hand cranks and USB ports for charging devices, providing an essential backup in extended outages.