SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK POSSIBLE ON EASTER SUNDAY… Parameters continue to support the potential for a substantial severe weather outbreak on Easter Sunday. The local National Weather Service offices and the Storm Prediction Center are “sounding the alarm” that this has the potential to be a high-impact severe weather event with strong, potentially long-track, tornadoes being possible. Tonight, Friday, and Saturday are when we all should review our severe weather safety plans. Research proves time and time again that people that have a plan and follow it during severe weather situations stand a greater chance of survival. The ongoing coronavirus situation makes severe weather preparation a bit more challenging. Let’s talk about the things we all can do NOW to be ready for the significant severe weather potential on Sunday.
Some of the following 9 things may sound unusual and/or scary to you if you’re hearing them for the first time, but trust me in that research proves these tips are and have been life-saving time and time again… Don’t be scared, BE PREPARED!
1) WARNINGS… Most importantly, **HAVE A WAY TO RECEIVE WEATHER WARNINGS ON SUNDAY.** If you don’t have a way to get the warnings, the rest of these points are moot. You have to KNOW when something is happening in your area! No matter where you are in Alabama, northwest Florida, or Mississippi, you’re included in a severe weather risk zone on Sunday. NOAA Weather Radios are great but they do generally need batteries (AA, AAA, etc.), The SAF-T-Net (free) and Weather Radio (more advanced, one time charge) apps are also wonderful. Also, my company, RedZone Weather, has an app (free download at redzoneweather.com/app) that you can watch our live streaming video and audio coverage if tornado warnings happen in southwest Alabama or northwest Florida (coverage commitments available here: rzweather.com/coverage)
2) WHY HELMETS WORK SO WELL… Emerging research continues to show that wearing a helmet during a tornado that strikes your location greatly increases your chance of survival. Why? Because majority of fatal injuries that happen due to tornadoes happen because of blunt force trauma to the head/skull region. Thus, if we can mitigate this hazard in any way, we should. That’s where helmets and cooking pots come into the equation. Anything is better than nothing in this case. This means if you can grab a football, baseball, softball, bicycle, motorcycle, ballistics, or welding helmet and put it on, it will highly likely help you survive a tornado impact. Note this helmet deal isn’t just for children. It applies to everyone, no matter if you’re 8, 28, or 88 years old. Everyone needs a severe weather helmet. I cannot recommend them to you enough!
3) PHONES/TABLETS… Charge your cell phones and iPads and other electronic devices NOW. Don’t wait. Power may be out in some areas of Alabama, northwest Florida, and Mississippi on Sunday. If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing one of the fantastic small battery backups (pictured) that can power your phone or iPad, I highly recommend getting one the next time you go to the store or visit Amazon. In my experience, I’m a fan of the Anker batteries. You’ll need a charging cable to go with it.
4) WHISTLES/AIRHORNS/IDs… You need something like a whistle, air horn, or something else that can emit a loud noise to let first responders know if you’ve been affected by a tornado and you’re trapped under debris. It’s important to also have your ID on your person during tornado warnings. If you need medical help and you’re unconscious, first responders need to know who you are.
5) CLOSED-TOED SHOES… It would pain me so much to hear that someone had been affected by a tornado, survived it, then walked out of a destroyed home, stepped on a live electrical wire and got electrocuted. Wear closed-toed shoes on Sunday! This is an easy thing we can all do with little effort.
6) PEOPLE AND PETS… Don’t forget about the pets when/if you have to take shelter on Sunday. Dogs and cats need to be sheltered too! Also, don’t forget to LET PEOPLE KNOW that we have a substantial severe weather risk across portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and northwest Florida on Sunday. You’d be amazed at how many people I see regularly that don’t have a clue what’s happening in the news and weather world. That’s fine — until it’s not and they become a tornado casualty. Share this point, share someone else’s weather post, I really don’t care what you share as long as you TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS RISK.
7) HAVE A PLAN… Know NOW where you’ll be on Sunday. We recommend getting on the lowest floor of a well-constructed, site-built structure (like a sturdy house or business), away from windows and doors, putting as many walls as you possibly can between you and the outside world. You CANNOT be in a vehicle or a mobile home during a tornado warnings! These places become death traps very quickly in tornado situations… Don’t think, “Oh, I’ll try to outrun it.” NO. This could prove to be a fatal mistake. Underground tornado shelters are the best place to be, but many folks don’t have one of those, and that is okay. You don’t have to be underground to survive a tornado.
8) COVERAGE… I provide live streaming video coverage via our RedZone Weather app and on redzoneweather.com during tornado warnings for 12 counties in southwest Alabama and in northwest Florida. Some of you reading this post are NOT in our local area. While I appreciate you reading this, I would suggest finding out NOW who covers tornado warnings in your specific area. redzoneweather.com/coverage outlines our coverage policy extensively. Find a weather source you trust and watch the information on Sunday!
9) MASKS… Everyone on the planet is dealing with our new reality called the coronavirus pandemic. If you are not by yourself on Sunday, we need to think about wearing a mask or a makeshift mask (like a scarf or shirt covering) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Interestingly enough, I actually don’t think it is a bad idea to wear some type of mask every time we take shelter due to a tornado. Why? Because if a tornado or damaging winds affects the structure you’re in and causes significant damage, you’re going to be dealing with dust and debris in the air. Even a cloth/allergy mask (like the one I am wearing in the photo) is better than nothing.
Lastly, this is April in the Deep South. This is not that unusual. Severe weather risks are a part of our lives in this state and around the Deep South. When/if the weather takes a turn for the worst on Sunday, let’s show the world how prepared we are in making these good tornado warning decisions! I believe in Alabama and I love the people of our region! We will get through this. Do not be scared, be prepared.
My next forecast update will be posted by 7:15AM on Friday. See you then!
