A flower greets the sun on Monday, ready for the arrival of spring. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — “That is one good thing about this world . . . there are always sure to be more springs,” wrote L.M. Montgomery in her book, “Anne of Avonlea.” And, once again, spring has arrived in Shepherdstown. But whether or not this spring’s weather will feel like a normal spring in the Eastern Panhandle is up for debate.

While many local residents are looking forward to gardening and hiking season, being aware of the unpredictable weather this spring holds in store may be a wise move, according to Robert Wise, of SERVPRO of Panhandle.

“Home and business owners need to be aware that severe weather conditions can develop rapidly and hit unexpectedly, so it’s important to plan ahead,” Wise said. “By the time you hear about an approaching storm, you may have little or no time to prepare for it. The time to prepare is now, before severe weather occurs.”

Considering the heavy amount of precipitation the Eastern Panhandle has received over the past year, Wise indicated the weather is expected to continue in that trend.

“As disaster remediation specialists, we know how important advance planning and preparation can be, not only for surviving an unexpected event, but also for recovering from it once the threat has passed,” Wise said, of his business. “Follow the advice of the experts: prepare an emergency kit that includes an emergency evacuation or shelter plan, a first aid kit, a three-to-five-day supply of water and food, personal hygiene items, medications, blankets and pet supplies, if you have pets. Be sure to include important contact, insurance, utility and medical information stored in a reliable and accessible place like the SERVPRO Ready Plan App3 or other readily available spot. Having these critical items available to grab and go in both your home and car allows you to quickly move to safety and then take immediate steps toward recovery once the emergency is over.

A few crocuses stand tall along an alley in Shepherdstown on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

“For businesses, advance planning for severe weather and other unexpected events can mean the difference between surviving or closing their doors forever,” Wise said. “As many as 50 percent of businesses close down following a disaster, unable to survive long periods of business interruption caused by a disaster and its aftermath.”

To be informed about changes in the weather, the National Weather Services’ National Seasonal Safety Campaign1 seeks to inform the public about seasonal weather hazards during the time they are most common, providing no-fee wireless emergency alerts.

A wasp enjoys some warmer weather on Saturday, on the side of the Shepherdstown Public Library. Tabitha Johnston