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By Tana Shealey

Living in Alabama, we are painfully aware of the destructive nature of severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes. Sadly, in some communities, it is not a question of if deadly weather systems will strike, but instead it is a question of when they will hit.

In 2024, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports 71 tornadic events occurred in Alabama. With the beginning of the hurricane season this month through Nov. 30, meteorologists with the NWS predict more hurricanes than usual this season. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a possibility of up to 6 named storms, which means storms with wind speeds of above 39 miles per hour.

The Lowndes County office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System plans to continue offering its “Be Ready, Lowndes County!” severe weather preparedness workshops this year. The next meeting is set for June 10, 9  – 11 a.m., at the Fort Deposit Municipal Facility, 260 Old Fort Road, Fort Deposit, AL 36032.

Representatives from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s state office, the South-Central Alabama Development Commission and The Governor’s Office on Volunteer Services will speak on topics including making homes safe for disabled or bedridden stakeholders during a storm, best practices for food storage when power is out, and help available for residents during and after a storm.

Participants will hear from experts on ways to prepare for storms and ways to mitigate injuries and damage to property during tornadoes. Attendees will receive items that will help them prepare for severe weather including special light bulbs that store energy for use during black outs and plastic pouches to waterproof important papers. 

During the workshop, residents will learn how to program and operate a NOAA weather radio, and they will receive a free radio for their homes, while supplies last. NOAA weather radios are a direct link to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and a first line of defense for residents needing fast, accurate weather forecasts. The Lowndes County Extension office, through a grant from Midsouth RC&D has provided hundreds of NOAA radios to residents in Lowndes County since October 2024. 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. For more information regarding the Be Ready, Lowndes County program, please call 334-548-2315.

Tana Shealey is County Extension Director.