Vicksburg and Warren County were spared the devastation dealt to many areas of the Deep South on Tuesday, including Mississippi, where one man lost his life due to the violent storms.

We were lucky this time, but the situation serves as a reminder that we live in a region of volatile weather. Tornadoes, straight line winds, thunderstorms that produce damaging winds, hail and lightning strikes are the norm here, and seem to be intensifying as our global climate changes.

Having a plan and being prepared during these times is more important that ever. John Elfer, Warren County Emergency Management director, repeats that warning like a mantra: Stay alert and have your shelter plans in place and working.

What exactly does that mean? It means keeping up with weather information when it looks like conditions are deteriorating.

You can do that a number of ways. Apps on your smartphone provide alerts when the National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for our area.

Vicksburgpost.com and other area media outlets will keep you notified of weather issues. Stay informed by making use of information on social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Having a shelter plan in place means that you and your family have discussed where you will go to seek shelter during such bad weather events. That plan should include how you will meet up after weather has cleared and how you will communicate with each other. That plan should always include how you will keep your pets safe, too.

If your home has an area, like a basement or interior hallway where your family can gather to stay safe, make sure you have supplies in place in your home, like flashlights with extra batteries, bottled water — a gallon per person per day for three days, baby supplies, pet food and supplies, a first aid kit and prescription medications, three days’ worth of non-perishable food.

If you live in a mobile home, your plan should be to leave your home during watches and warnings, and your plan should include exactly where you and your family will go to seek safety.

While we were fortunate during Tuesday’s bad weather, that won’t always be the case. Spending some time now to make a plan and to make sure each member of your family is aware of that plan, could save lives next time Mother Nature chooses to wreak havoc.