Severe Weather Awareness
Introduction | Weather Hazards | Sales Tax Holiday | Important Information |
Resiliency | Tornado Safety Drill | Additional Info |
Alabama is no stranger to severe weather, including tornadoes. They can happen any month of the year and any time, day or night. However, we have two distinct severe weather seasons. Our primary severe weather season is considered to be in the spring (March through May). There is also a secondary season that typically runs from the beginning of November until mid-December. The severity of each severe weather season varies from year to year, but it's imperative that you stay prepared year-round.
The National Weather Service, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and other supporting organizations ask for your help in providing the public with information about severe weather safety. Advance planning and increased awareness will help residents of Alabama survive these deadly storms.
In 2023, 70 tornadoes touched down across Alabama. Unfortunately, 9 lives were lost, and over 29 were injured. For more information regarding 2023 Alabama tornadoes, please visit our tornado database.
There are many aspects to being prepared for severe weather, but first and foremost, KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!! No matter what you have in your severe weather plan, it will never be complete until you can pinpoint your location on a map. Take a few moments NOW to learn some local geography so you can be more prepared when severe weather strikes. Don't just stop at your home location, learn surrounding counties and communities. This extra bit of knowledge will help you determine if storms in other areas are heading your way. To help you with this, we've put together a Story Map that highlights some information about each of the 39 counties in Central Alabama. It can be found here. Knowledge is power, a power that could SAVE YOUR LIFE!! |
Severe weather comes in many forms here in Alabama. From tornadoes to flooding, we see it all. It's important to know the different weather hazards and some simple safety tips. Please review the graphics below to learn how to prepare and keep you and your family safe from each type of hazard. (Click on images for a larger view.)
Spanish versions of some of the graphics below can be found here.
NEW! We are proud to offer safety videos with ASL interpreting courtesy the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, as well as captioning with each video!
Weather Hazards & Safety Tips |
Resiliency & Manufactured Homes
MH Anchoring |
MH Survivability |
MH Failures |
MH Statistics |
"Tornado Safety Drill" - Wednesday, February 7, 2024
In Alabama, we do not conduct a statewide tornado drill. However, we encourage everyone to conduct their own safety drill on Wednesday, Feb 7th. This "tornado safety drill" will be accomplished in conjunction with our weekly NOAA All-Hazards Radio Test that will be run at a special time of 9 am. An actual tornado warning WILL NOT sound, but this is an excellent opportunity for schools, civic organizations and businesses around Central Alabama to practice what they would do in the event of a tornado warning.
**Please note that some NOAA Weather Radio models do not have an audible sound for the Routine Weekly Test (they only show a flashing light). If you are conducting a drill, please go ahead and conduct the drill even if your weather radio does not audibly alert.**
Alabama Sales Tax Holiday: February 23-25, 2024
During the last weekend in February, the state of Alabama will hold a sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items. Don't miss this great opportunity to purchase any items you may be missing from your emergency kit. Below is a list of tax exempt items. You can find out if your city/town is participating here.