CLANTON – The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) is urging residents to prepare for potential severe weather Sunday into early Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service most of the state has a risk of seeing strong to severe storms that may include large hail, damaging winds and potential tornadoes.
“The time for Alabama residents to prepare is now, while we never know exactly what the storms will bring, it it is important for citizens to know a potential threat exits,” Alabama EMA Director Brian E. Hastings said. “As residents review their emergency kits and plans, it is important for everyone to ensure they can receive the latest forecast so families will know when to make critical decisions. Each Alabama resident plays a significant role in mitigating risks associated with severe weather threats—to know and to take action is the essence of a culture of preparedness.”
Local weather information and alerts are available through the NWS online at the following websites.
• Northern Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/hun/
• Central Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/
• Southern Alabama counties: https://www.weather.gov/mob/ or https://www.weather.gov/tae//
Having a NOAA weather radio is a great tool to receive official warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week from your nearest NWS office. County emergency management agencies can also provide area specific information. A list of all county EMA directors can be found here https://ema.alabama.gov/county-ema-directory/.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food- at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
For more information on what to include in your emergency kit visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
For the latest information from Alabama EMA you can visit the agency online at http://www.ema.alabama.gov or follow us on Twitter or Facebook at @AlabamaEMA.
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