The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended the deadline to apply for the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC).

Encourage a young person you know to apply by March 30, 2018. The YPC is open to students in 8th-11th grade across the Nation. If you know a good candidate, please tell them to apply.

As a member of the YPC, youth can:

• Design and conduct local and national projects;
• Add a youth viewpoint on emergency preparedness;
• Help prepare their local area for emergencies; and
• Give input to FEMA leadership and staff.

Adults working with youth should share the application . Youth should submit a complete form , provide two letters of recommendation, and their academic records.

Applications are due March 30, 2018 . For more information,  visit the Youth Preparedness Council website .

Tornadoes can strike in any season but occur most often in the spring and summer months.

Every state has some risk of this hazard. Learn how to prepare ahead of spring with the How to Prepare for a Tornado Guide. It explains how to protect yourself and details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly. Tornadoes may develop quickly with little, or no warning .

Follow these tips from Ready.gov to prepare :

1. Sign up for local emergency alerts and warnings . In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
2. Look for danger signs including: dark, often greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating); and, loud roar, similar to a freight train. If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

For more information, watch the When the Storm Comes preparedness video and visit Ready.gov/tornadoes .

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Deadly flooding can happen anywhere and faster than you might expect.

It is important to be prepared for flooding if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water, such as a river, stream, or culvert. You should also be wary if you live along a coastline or downstream from a dam, levee, or area that has been burned by wildfire.

Protect yourself during a flood with these Ready.gov tips:

• Turn Around, Don't Drown! Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. Just six (6) inches of moving water can knock you down. Just one (1) foot of water can sweep your vehicle off the roadway.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water. If water is rising inside the car, then seek refuge on the roof.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly with little warning.

For more information, download the How to Prepare for a Flood guide.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently presented MyPI National (MyPI) with a 2017 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness. Additionally, MyPI received an honorable mention in the John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness award category.

“ MyPI has stood out as having done a really outstanding job to commit to engaging youth ,” said Christi Collins, Deputy Director of FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division.

The presentation took place during the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) 2018 Smith Lever Special Needs Grant Program Project Directors Meeting. This grant program enabled MyPI to engage teenagers from eight states in youth preparedness.

MyPI uses a hybrid of emergency preparedness and youth leadership education. It includes Community Emergency Response Team curriculum, career exploration, and disaster simulation. The youth also assist families with developing emergency kits and communication plans. The program plans to expand to 33 states and a U.S. Territory.

For more information on the ICP Awards, visit Ready.gov/awards . To learn more about MyPI National, watch this video .