McReady Oklahoma is a grassroots initiative that provides activities and materials aimed at preparing Oklahoma families, businesses, schools, churches and other venues and groups regarding the steps that can be taken to stay safe from tornadoes, severe storms and other natural disasters. Every year April is highlighted as the time for Oklahomans to prepare for storm season with McReady Oklahoma month.

The program was first implemented in Tulsa in 2003. One year later, the program went statewide when the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management began administering McReady.

While tornadoes can happen year-round, most occur in Oklahoma in May. With this in mind, each year the governor proclaims April as Oklahoma Family Preparedness Month, devoting 30 days for preparedness leading up to May.

Displays packed with preparedness materials are located in more than 170 McDonald’s restaurants around the state. The displays are also located in some town halls, court houses and libraries in communities where there is no McDonald’s. Local emergency managers keep the displays stocked with brochures and booklets promoting severe weather preparedness. The displays work with McReady tray liners and bag stuffers urging individuals, families, businesses, schools and others to: Have a plan; Make a kit; and, Stay informed.

Have a plan. Make a Kit. Stay informed. Have a plan: Decide how you’re going to stay safe during severe weather and share that plan with others. Where will you shelter in place in your home, business, school, etc? If you don’t have a safe room or storm shelter, go to the lowest level, center most room away from windows. Remember to keep as many walls as possible in between you and the outside. Make a kit: Gather items for your Storm Supply Kit now and place in your shelter in place location. Make sure to include: bottled water, nonperishable food, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, heavy blankets and pillows, battery-powered radio and extra batteries. Stay informed: Monitor local TV and radio stations when conditions are right for severe weather. Make sure you have a NOAA All Hazards Weather Alert Radio with batter back-up. In the event of power outages, it will keep you informed with 24-hour weather coverage from the National Weather Service.

Yes. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, KOCO Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell and others deliver the McReady message via a DVD which has been provided to Oklahoma schools.

In Oklahoma it’s not if, but when natural disasters will strike. Since 1953, when disasters were first recorded, Oklahoma has experienced 125 disasters. This includes ice storms, wild fires, snow storms, wind storms, flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather. The state is number one nationally, in the number of disasters per capita. Oklahoma is third in the nation in the overall number of disasters. Only California and Texas have experienced more disasters.

McReady Partners. In addition to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, which administers the program, McReady Oklahoma is made possible thanks to the American Red Cross, R.D. Flanagan & Associates, KOCO Channel 5 (Oklahoma City), KOTV Channel 6 (Tulsa), KRMG Radio, McDonald’s Owners/Operators, MOROCH Public Relations and Marketing, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, OG&E Electric Services, Oklahoma Citizen Corps, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association, The Oklahoman, Tulsa Partners Inc. and The Salvation Army.