Alabama's governor has declared this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week, and all citizens were encouraged to conduct their own tornado safety drill today. After the events of last April, I'm very attuned to the weather and take the threat of tornadoes very seriously. I still shudder when I think of my first encounter with a tornado warning in Alabama. I stood at the window and wondered if I could see it. OMG! What was I thinking?
Now I run for my safe place, which is my bathroom. It's in the very interior of my apartment building and backs up to three other bathrooms. I think that's about as interior as one can get and all that plumbing has to be good support. I have a plastic tote under the sink with a flashlight and extra batteries, some small candles and matches and the emergency radio my granddaughter gave me for Christmas. It's run by batteries, solar power or you can crank it for power. I can even give my cell phone a brief charge with it -- enough power to make a short emergency call.
You can download an Alabama All Hazards Awareness booklet and get other good information here.
Do you have a severe weather plan? Don't think it can't happen to you.
