MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — EMA workers in Madison County are getting ready for severe weather expected to move into the Tennessee Valley Wednesday by double checking their equipment.
While the EMA is preparing, they say it’s important for you to be ready, too. If you haven’t yet, nail down your emergency plan before Wednesday.
With storms come a high chance of power outages. Make sure your emergency kit is ready with batteries, flashlights, water, and non-perishable snacks.
Emergency Management Officer, Chris Reed, said, "We learned a hard lesson in 2011. Hopefully we don't have anything of that magnitude, but the power outage following the actual tornado damage and stretch was as much of an issue as the actual damage itself."
Have multiple ways of getting weather alerts. You can tune into WZDX News, listen to a weather radio, and download the WZDX app. Make sure to turn on your notifications.
"If you're trying to catch some sleep and the storm develops and it becomes tornadic, then you've got to have a way to wake you up,” said Reed.
Know where you're going to take shelter, whether that’s in your home or somewhere else. Consider finding a safe space at a community shelter if you live in a mobile home.
"Most your fatalities that happen and injuries that happen during tornadic winds, those people were inside a mobile home or a vehicle,” said Reed.
With COVID-19 still spreading, wear a mask if you must use a public shelter.
Reed said, "You got the tornado threat happening now, you might run the risk of spreading COVID, but take care of you and your family right now."
For a list of shelters in North Alabama, click here.
WATCH: March 15, 2021 Weather Forecast