Severe storms are likely across Alabama today, according to the National Weather Service.

Tornadoes, wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to golf ball size will all be possible, with the better chances for the worst weather across west Alabama.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a Level 3 out of 5, or enhanced risk, for much of the western half of the state today. The rest of the state is in line to see severe storms as well.

Storms will be more likely during the afternoon and evening hours.

Now is the time to make sure you are ready. Here are five things to do:

1. Know where you will be, and where you will go in case the worst happens. Will you be at home? Is your safe place ready? Will you be at work? Where is the safest spot to go at your job? What about the grocery store or the gym? Wherever you plan to be this afternoon, take the time to think about where the safest spot in the building is, so there will be no hesitation if a storm is headed your way. Experts say to get on the lowest floor and in the center of the building, away from windows. Remember this applies to severe storms as well as tornadoes.

** If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, this is CRITICALLY important. Even though it is an inconvenience it is very important that you are NOT in a mobile home if a severe storm moves over your area.

2. Know what’s coming and be familiar with your geography. Storms will be moving generally from west to east today. Take a second and think about the areas to the west and southwest of where you will be. Know that if a warning is issued for that area then your location could be next in line to see those storms, and make sure you are ready to take action. The National Weather Service in Birmingham put out a handy Alabama and Mississippi county map to help with this.

Familiarize yourself with the row of counties to the west of yours and pay attention if they are in the firing line for storms. You could end up being next in line.

3. Make sure your home and your devices are ready. Go ahead and charge your phone/computer in case the power goes out. Make sure your phone is not on silent so you can be sure and get warnings. Do you have an app that will alert you to a warning in your area? It’d be a good time to add one to your phone now. Most are free. Make sure you know where your flashlight is — and make sure it has working batteries. Have helmets at the ready in your safe space. Take a look outside. Is there anything that could fall on your home/vehicle that could be moved out of the way? Any signs or outdoor equipment that could get blown away? Take a second and move things inside if you need to.

4. Tell your not-weather-aware friends or co-workers to be on guard. Know anyone that doesn’t keep up with the weather? Shoot them a text, or call or email them and let them know to pay attention, especially this afternoon. You could end up saving a life.

5. Don’t rely on outdoor sirens to let you know about a warning. Those sirens, World War II-era technology, were designed to be heard outside — not inside. Don’t count on being able to hear a siren to alert you to a severe weather warning.