Severe weather threat in Alabama Saturday, tornadoes possible: How to prepare now

Alabama is bracing for a round of severe weather Saturday with the possibility for strong storms, tornadoes and flooding.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has put central and southwest Alabama under a rarely-used Level 4 out of 5 risk Saturday. A Level 4 risk means numerous severe storms are expected, as well as tornadoes, including the “long-track” variety.

The rest of the state is under a Level 3 risk.

You can see the latest forecast here.

The National Weather Service has advice on preparing for the storms and what to do during and after severe weather.

Before the storm

• Get weather-ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for severe weather. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
• Now is the time to sign up for notifications: Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens, but those should not be the only source of information. Having a battery-powered weather radio to get information is essential.
• Set up a family communication plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
• Get your homes ready: Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.

During the storm

What to do if you’re at home

Storm Cellars and Basements

Being completely underground is the best place to be in a tornado. If you have an underground storm cellar, use it. Make sure the door is securely fastened. If the entrance to your storm cellar is outside, you should allow plenty of time to get to the shelter before the storm arrives. A basement is also a good shelter in most cases. If your basement is not totally underground, or has outside doors or windows, stay as far away from them as possible. If possible, avoid seeking shelter underneath heavy objects on the floor above. Use coverings (pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, coats, etc.) and helmets to shield your head and body and to protect yourself from flying debris.

Safe room

A reinforced safe room (or above-ground tornado shelter) is as good as an underground shelter in most situations. Safe rooms are specially-designed reinforced tornado shelters built into homes, schools and other buildings.

What if you don’t have an underground or reinforced shelter?

You need to find a location that is

• As close to the ground as possible
• As far inside the building as possible
• Away from doors, windows and outside walls
• In as small a room as possible

Ideas for these can include interior bathrooms, closets, hallways (be sure to shut all the doors leading to the closet) and under stairs.

What if you’re in an apartment?

The basic tornado safety guidelines apply if you live in an apartment. Get to the lowest floor, with as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Consider using an apartment clubhouse or laundry room as a shelter if you live on an upper floor.

What if you’re in a mobile home?

Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to damage in a storm. The NWS said even a “weak” EF-1 tornado can cause severe damage to a mobile home or cause it to roll over.

The best advice for mobile home dwellers is to have a safe place set up before the storm arrives and get there well before bad weather arrives. Taking cover under sturdy furniture, in a bathtub or closet or under a mattress will be meaningless in a mobile home if the home itself is destroyed, blown over, or rolled over by tornado or severe thunderstorm winds.

What if you’re out in public?

Danger is higher when you’re away from home, when you may be unfamiliar with the area and away from your usual sources of weather information, NWS warns.

What if you’re at a hotel or motel?

Some hotels and motels have safety plans for guests, but others may not, and you may be on your own. Some establishments suggest guests seek shelter in hallways but you should avoid hallways with windows or doors on the end. These can become wind tunnels and send debris flying down the corridor. Interior bathrooms and closets near the center of the building may be good shelters in this situation. Wherever you are forced to seek shelter in a tornado, cover up with pillows, heavy blankets or whatever you can find.

Malls, stores, restaurants and hospitals

The same basic tornado safety guidelines apply in any public building, whether it’s your local shopping mall, a hospital or nursing home, a grocery or discount store, a church, a hotel, convenience store, truck stop, or restaurant.

Do not try to leave the area in your car. Being in a sturdy building is most likely safer than being in a vehicle.

What if you’re outdoors?

Being exposed outdoors is one of the worst places to be in a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Your best bet in the event of severe weather is to skip the event. If that’s not possible, listen to any severe weather information that is conveyed and follow the safety plan. Make sure there is a safe indoor location nearby.

What if you’re on the road?

NWS said the three groups of people most at risk during a tornado are those who are outdoors, those in mobile/manufactured homes, or those on the road in vehicles.

All types of vehicles can be blown over, rolled, crushed, lifted or otherwise destroyed by even a weak tornado. Consider delaying your trip, monitoring any alerts, keep a highway map handy that includes county names and boundaries and find a radio station broadcasting weather information.

If the tornado is far enough away and road options and traffic allow, you should try to find a substantial building for shelter. If there are no other options – and only in an extreme emergency – you should leave your car and seek shelter in a ditch, culvert or low spot.

Highway overpasses are not tornado shelters, and these should be avoided.