A number of communities in Southern Manitoba have already had severe thunderstorms roll through this spring. Some of those storms came up very quickly.

That's an example of why it's always important to be prepared for severe weather.

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Environment Canada's Natalie Hasell says it's important to pay attention to the forecast, pay attention to what's happening around you, and if possible, have access to shelter.

If you're in a car, and caught in a severe thunderstorm which could potentially spawn a tornado, Hasell says it would be best to pull over, and get yourself as small as possible, and as low as possible under the dashboard.

In a house, Hasell says you will want to seek shelter in a basement. If you don't have a basement, find a small interior room putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Keep in mind, if you're outside, you will want to crouch down in a low lying area.

Hasell says you never want to lie down in a ditch when seeking shelter, because they are designed to channel water. Crouching will allow you to move quickly if you need to.

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"Being prepared in advance is really useful," says Hasell. "If you've gone out camping, at least let somebody know where your are, so if it's an area affected by storms they can at least find out if you're okay. They'll know to call, and you can reach out as well and let people know you're okay, or if you need help, by reaching out, maybe they can help you a little bit better."

Hasell notes you can find links to several helpful pages online by searching Environment Canada Seasonal Hazardous Weather.