SIGNIFICANT ROUND OF SEVERE WEATHER LIKELY WEDNESDAY… Parameters continue to support the potential for a significant round of severe weather on Wednesday into early Thursday across much of the Deep South. 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 potentially significant tornadoes being possible. Tonight, Monday, and Tuesday 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 COVID situation makes severe weather preparation a bit more challenging. Below are a few practical things that we all should be doing now and over the next 48 hours ahead of this severe weather potential.
The image attached above highlights expected surface-based instability across the Deep South at 4PM Wednesday. Unlike the winter severe weather episodes we had in the last several months, CAPE will NOT be a limiting factor with this passing weather system! Some of the following 9 things may sound unusual and/or weird 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 WEDNESDAY.** 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 are included in a severe weather risk zone on Wednesday. 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 on Tuesday ahead of the significant severe weather potential. Power may be out in some areas of Alabama, northwest Florida, and Mississippi on Wednesday evening. If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing one of the fantastic small battery backups 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 Wednesday! 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 Wednesday. 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 Wednesday. 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 Wednesday. 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 Wednesday!
9) MASKS… Everyone on the planet is dealing with our new reality during the COVID-19 era. If you are not by yourself on Wednesday, 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 if you have not been fully vaccinated yet. 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 is better than nothing.
Lastly, this is March 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. I am near certain that this will not be the last severe weather risk of this severe weather season that runs through early May. We will get through this risk together and if/when we have tornado warnings, I will do my best to be there with you during our live coverage. Do not be scared, be prepared.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding severe weather safety preparations.
My next detailed forecast video and text discussion will be posted by 7:15AM tomorrow morning. See you then!
