It’s never too late to prepare for excessive heat in Alabama. There are several things you can do to help your family deal with rising temperatures. Also, it’s helpful to know the heat-related hazard terms used by the National Weather Service and local meteorologists. Here are a few helpful tips and terms:
Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
Summertime heat in Alabama is often a less recognized danger to many. Across the US, there are on average more heat related deaths each year than other weather hazards, including tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and lightning. The following safety tips during excessive heat can help prevent illness, and possibly death.
What you should do if the weather is extremely hot:
Follow these tips when thinking about ways to effectively donate or volunteer to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts.
Huntsville ranked No. 1 among tornado cities; Birmingham and Tuscaloosa in top four -
Three of the top 4 tornado prone cities in the US are in Alabama, according to research from The Weather Channel’s Steve Forbes.
With the Spring Severe Weather Season in full swing in Alabama, Flash Flooding with heavy thunderstorms is possible. Please use the following tips when driving in heavy rain/flooding situations:
Pay attention to barricades.
Don’t ignore them by driving past them.
Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots.
The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
April 15, 2011 was one of the largest tornado outbreaks in Central Alabama history. Overshadowed by the historic devastation of April 27, 2011, the April 15 outbreak helped make April 2011 the most active month for tornadoes in Alabama on record. Please remember to build/check your Emergency Kit for your home or business!
Alabama’s primary severe weather season is underway. Keep your household and business prepared by building/updating your Emergency Kit. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO INCLUDE IN YOUR EMERGENCY KIT.
(image courtesy American Red Cross)
Tornado Safety Rules from the National Weather Service Birmingham -
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 - SEVERE WEATHER WITH TORNADOES POSSIBLE ACROSS ALABAMA. It is extremely important to have a reliable source for weather warning information. A NOAA Weather Radio is the best way to receive watch and warning information. Please stay tuned to your local radio, television and web sources for the latest local watches and warnings. DO NOT RELY ON OUTDOOR SIRENS FOR YOUR PRIMARY WEATHER WARNING SOURCE.
(Photo Courtesy al.com)
Over 400 homes were affected by storms on March 18, 2013. Find out more in this al.com article.
To donate to Alabama Disaster Relief - Unmet Needs, mail contributions to “Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund” 8 Commerce Street, Suite 1140, Montgomery, AL 36104.
BO BIKES BAMA, CORDOVA, ALABAMA - APRIL 27, 2013
Starting in Cordova, Alabama, Bo Bikes Bama offers a 20 or 60 mile route through tornado ravished Walker County - one of the most devastated counties in the nation during the April 27th, 2011 tornado outbreak that claimed 324 lives across six states.
On the second anniversary of the deadly April 27, 2011 tornadoes, two-sport legend Bo Jackson will lead a one-day charity bike ride through Cordova, Alabama to continue his mission to raise $1 million for tornado recovery. Participants will have the option to join Bo for a 20-mile or 60-mile route through the town.