Now is the Time to Make Plans for Approaching Tornadoes
TV3340’s weather anchor, James Spann, has famously made the mantra, “Do you have a plan?” an apt introduction to the suggestion that Communities in the Clay, Coosa, and Talladega Counties prepare for what could become a very active tornado season for Alabama, and especially including our area.
The tornado outbreak January 12 drives this point home as 14 tornadoes ripped across Alabama leaving a wake of death and destruction, including the deadliest tornado activity since 2019. While tornadoes typically travel 1 to 2 miles on the ground, the EF3 rivaled some of the longest tornadoes ripping across Alabama by remaining on the ground from Autauga to Chamber counties, traveling 82 miles before continuing into Georgia.
Impacted by its path were nearby neighbors in Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties.
As history records, our area is not immune to tornadic activity. While tornadoes striking the area in 1910 and 1917 are not noted as well as the one striking in 1932, they bear witness to the vulnerability of our area.
The 1932 tornado striking our area was one of 13 striking Alabama that day. Damage was traced from Talladega Springs to Chandler Springs, with Sylacauga taking the brunt of the F4 tornado leaving 29 dead and hundreds of homes destroyed.
After surveying the scene and having traveled to other communities impacted by the storm, then Governor Benjamin Miller was reported saying, “I believe there is more property damage here than in any other part of the state, particularly pretty homes.” A Red Cross representative stated, “I have never seen any worse destruction in proportion than that in Sylacauga.”
Regarding the recent event, James Spann said he was surprised by the number of tornadoes produced by the storm system, which only accentuates the unpredictability of the storms passing through, the need to take warnings seriously, and the need to make advanced preparations.
For many the question is not if our area will experience another tornado, but when?
Obviously, even though modern meteorologist and technology has enhanced detecting probable tornadic activity and the ability to issue warnings, recent activity reminds us even with enhanced predictability, tornadic activity retains a high risk of unpredictability. Tornadoes are not like hurricanes, or even most winter storms (2014s winter storm was an exception, and embarrassment to most meteorologist) we are given ample time to prepare, including stocking up on milk and bread.
Knowing that we are in a High-Risk area should also give us time to prepare and following are some tips for preparing.
Making Preparations
What are the Risks for Our Area?
According to Tornado Index[1], Alabama and our area are at High Risk, with Alabama ranking fifth (5th) with a score of 255.80, with Sylacauga ranking 375 with a tornado index of 249.72 and Childersburg ranking 329. A High Risk means shelter is the preferred method of protection from high winds.
Compare the chart provided to compare the risk factors:
Tornado Threat
Know the Characteristics of Tornadoes
While tornadoes have been recorded in the early morning and late evening, they are likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tornadoes generally travel from southwest to the northeast, however, they can move in the direction of the parent storm.
Averaging between 300 to 400 yards in width, they can reach up to one mile, while their path averages five mile, but some paths have exceeded 100 miles, traveling an average of 25-50 miles per hour, with some traveling five miles mph, others 60 mph.
Know the Degrees of Warnings
The National Weather Service Issues Tornado Watches and Warnings with appropriate recommendations for each.
Tornado Watches are issued even though no tornadic activity has been confirmed but conditions are favorable for a potential tornado. When issued, anyone within the range of the watch should continue to monitor the situation and have plans for evacuation to a shelter, and if no shelter is nearby, insure you have a “Safe Place” in your home or business. Safe Places in the home are in the basement, or in a room with structure features stronger than outside walls, rooms such as a bathroom or a closet. It is a good idea to take a whistle, pots and pans you can beat together, horn, or any other instrument you can use to make noise should you be trapped and alert those searching for you.
Tornado Warnings are issued when a tornado is confirmed whether still in the air or on the ground and will occur, and anyone living in the “polygon” should immediately seek shelter.
Understand the Potential Impact of Tornadoes
Tornadoes are rated by the National Weather Service (NWS) according to the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale.[2] Use the chart below to compare the nature of the rankings and scale of impact:
Understand Shelter Standards and Their Locations
Safer Places
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) has provided three criteria in determining the effectiveness of any shelter you will want to seek when a tornado warning is given.
Safer Designations
Safer 1: Safer 1 should be your first preference because these facilities are unlikely to structurally fail during a tornado.
Safer 2: Second preference should be facilities that are unlikely to completely collapse even should they suffer structural failure of some kind, facilities that are constructed with reinforced materials.
Safer 3: Used only as a last resort, Safer 3 locations may provide better protection for anyone in a vehicle or unanchored mobile home.
When selecting the best available shelter, you should balance building safety and the best area providing within the building.
More information can be found at The State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Safer Places Program Guidelines Version 1 – 12/30/2021.
Shelter Locations
The Talladega County Emergency Management Agency (TCEMA) is a valuable resource where you can find other tips in preparation for tornadic activities, as well as the location of FEMA-certified shelters found throughout Talladega County. The link to the list of shelters is provided here: https://www.talladegacountyal.org/departments/emergency_management_agency/community_shelters.php