Severe Weather Risk – Be Ready
Since the generational severe weather outbreak across Alabama on April 27, 2011, thankfully severe weather events have been few in number around here. So, time for a refresher course on getting ready for severe weather issues…
GETTING THE WARNING: The baseline is a NOAA Weather Radio. You can find these at retailers like Walgreens, Publix, Academy Sports… and the cost is about 30 dollars. Here is one of the most popular Midland models from Amazon. You need to program the radio with the correct frequency and county codes… find that information here. Be sure you have fresh batteries in the radio in the event of a power failure.
SMART PHONE APPS: We prefer for people to have two ways of getting the warning, the other is a good smart phone app. All TV stations heavily promote their own weather apps, but quite frankly, most of them are very poor at pushing warnings. These are the two I recommend…
WeatherRadio by WDT iPhone Android
MyWarn iPhone Android
ABC 33/40 LIVE COVERAGE: ABC 33/40 goes “wall to wall” with weather coverage anytime a county in our market is placed under a tornado warning. In addition to TV, you can see our coverage on the web here.
The ABC 33/40 “all in one” app also features our live streaming coverage. Get the iPhone version here, and the Android version here.
Note you can not only see our live severe weather coverage, but also lots of great content, including the blog…
RADIO: Our tornado coverage is on radio on WZZK, 104.7 in Birmingham (plus other Summit Media stations), and WTUG, 92.9 in Tuscaloosa (plus other TownSquare Media stations).
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING: In a site built home or structure, you want to be in a small room, on the lowest floor, away from windows, and near the center. Put as many walls between you and the tornado as you can. You do NOT have to be underground to survive a tornado, and you NEVER drive; a car is a death trap.
In mobile homes, you do have to get out. Identify safe structures close by and know their availability day, night, and weekends.
Be sure everyone in your family, and those visiting for Christmas understand your plan.
HAVE A KIT IN YOUR SAFE PLACE: Everyone in the home should have a helmet; bicycle helmets and batting helmets are great. Everyone wears one if you are in a tornado warning polygon, including adults. Have hard sole shoes for everyone, along with portable air horns or whistles (first responders can determine where you are if you take a direct hit and need help).
STAY UP TO DATE: If you are reading this blog, then you are in the best place for detailed updates prior to severe weather events. Your generic phone app with a little weather picture, high, low, and chance of rain will not help you. We update the blog on a very regular basis prior to, and during severe weather events.
SOCIAL MEDIA: You can find me (and severe weather updates) on all of the major social networks…
Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Instagram
Let’s hope we get through the week with no big problems with severe weather, but we have to be ready just in case.
Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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