Are you prepared? Those three words are important as Mother Nature continues to rain down on Iowa as flood waters rise and violent storms pass through.

Wicked weather has soaked the state and more turbulence is expected this week. Already, many areas are flooded and residents continue in the midst of either cleaning up or getting out.

Emergency officials throughout the region are monitoring the rivers and the weather. It’s imperative that we listen and take their advice in light of some of the concerns upstream in central Iowa.

Being prepared to either move to higher ground or taking the necessary precautions to keep safe from tornadic activity or severe storms is paramount in keeping yourself and others protected.

Ottumwans and many southern Iowans have been through this before.

The floods of 1947, 1949 and 1993 should be important reminders to those who have endured weather woes.

We’ve also known the pain of not having electricity following this past winter’s ice storms. It’s conceivable that those problems could return because of summertime weather woes.

Should weather issues impact the community, cooperation also will be important. Whether it’s helping to fill sandbags or aiding neighbors who may need some additional assistance during poor weather, we all have a stake in working together. As of Tuesday, officials are asking for help sandbagging in Eldon and Ottumwa.

And the Southern Prairie chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for volunteers for the upcoming evacuation and shelter needs.

Volunteers will need to take a special one-hour training this afternoon at the Red Cross office, 408 E. Main St., and then they can assist at the shelter and/or help with food preparation and serving. 

But let’s leave the heroics to law enforcement and emergency professionals. Sometimes just staying out of the way and keeping back are just as important.

Here are five more words to consider during this time — be wise and be safe.