CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County is no stranger to severe weather and dangerous storms. Everyone remembers the tornadoes of 2011 that ripped portions of the scenery to shreds; likewise, a hail storm in 2018 left the area with millions of dollars of in damage. Unpredictable weather and springtime go hand in hand here.
Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Tim Sartin shared useful tips and information for residents, saying that early warnings and alerts in the moments before a storm can, quite literally, save a life.
“Always have two methods of getting your information. Always have a weather radio in addition to a cellphone, computer or TV. If we can’t reach you, we can’t notify you,” he said. “There are multiple apps you can download to your phone, we (Cullman County EMA) have an app; the Weather Channel app is very accurate.”
Whether radios are designed to alert households of special weather statements. They can also be run with batteries in the event of a major power outage, broadcasting signals and alerts from the National Weather Service.
Creating a plan and an emergency “go-bag” are two of the preparedness tips Sartin championed.
The plan should consist of a list of local shelter locations, an escape route for every natural disaster and the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. Pets should be taken into account when deciding on emergency plans. Determining which local shelters accept animals in the case of an evacuation is something that often is left to chance, forcing owners in a precarious situation to make split-second decisions for their animals.
“That is definitely something that people don’t think about – ‘Will the shelter accept my pet?’ but most shelters don’t allow animals, so that is something to plan for, too,” said Sartin.
The “go-bag” should consist of extra clothing and important documentation, battery packs, chargers for any medical equipment or electronic devices, a small first-aid kit and – perhaps the most important items that could and should be placed in the emergency bag – are any needed medications (enough for at least 48-72 hours) and bottled water.
Said Sartin, “You need at least two to three days’ worth of any life-saving medication in the bag, ready to go. Bottled water is so important; you can live a lot longer without food than you can without access to clean water.”
While statistically, the National Weather Service indicates that most of the tornado outbreaks in the Tennessee Valley happen during the month of April; nature is a fickle thing with a vengeance and can devastate lives and communities at any time.
Sartin and the team at Cullman County EMA are prepared for any event that comes their way.
“We are here to alert the community to emergency situations, but we have to be able to reach you to alert you,” he said.
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
