Central Alabama braces for hurricane season: How to stay safe

ARREST. WELL, THE START OF HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHES THIS WEEKEND, BUT IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PREPARE. NOAA ANTICIPATES AN ACTIVE SEASON WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF UP TO 19 NAMED STORMS. FIVE OF THOSE STORMS COULD BECOME MAJOR HURRICANES. �� 13 S MYA CALEB REPORTS ON WHAT JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SAYS THAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY READY FOR JUNE 1ST MARKS THE START OF ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON. JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS FINALIZING PREPS. WE’RE COORDINATING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS. WE’RE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN DO THE BEST JOB WE CAN TO HELP OUR CITIZENS AND JEFFERSON COUNTY PREPARE. AND IF WE DO TAKE IMPACTS, DO WHAT WE CAN TO ASSIST THEM. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE’RE GETTING THE PEOPLE AND THINGS TO THE PLACES AND PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM. WE’RE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE GET INFORMATION OUT TO OUR CITIZENS SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, AND THEY KNOW WHAT IMPACTS WE CAN EXPECT HERE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. SOME OF THOSE HURRICANE SEASON PREPS AREN’T JUST FOR THE EMA. IT ALSO FALLS IN THE HANDS OF RESIDENTS. YOU KNOW, BRINGING IN OUTDOOR FURNITURE, ANYTHING THAT CAN GET BLOWN AROUND, HAVING A WAY TO GET EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS. IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WE HAVE THE JEFFCO ALERT SYSTEM HAVING YOUR KIT READY. IF YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE OR YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IN THE EVENT OF A TROPICAL STORM OR A HURRICANE, YOU’LL WANT TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT LIKE THIS ONE WITH BATTERIES, A FIRST AID KIT, A PILL ORGANIZER, AND OTHER NECESSITIES TO GET YOU THROUGH THE STORM. WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, DON’T FORGET YOUR PETS. SO SOMETIMES THEY THINK, OH, I’VE GOT EVERYTHING FOR ME. BUT DO YOU HAVE A LEASH FOR YOUR DOG? DO YOU HAVE A CRATE FOR YOUR CAT? JEFFERSON COUNTY EMA ALSO WARNS AGAINST UNDERESTIMATING THE POWER OF A HURRICANE AND ITS IMPACT ON AN AREA LIKE CENTRAL ALABAMA. SOMETIMES IF YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THAT, THAT UPPER RIGHT QUADRANT OF THE TROPICAL SYSTEM, THAT CAN MEAN TORNADOES FOR US. BUT THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE THINK ABOUT IS FLOODING. WHEN IT COMES TO TROPICAL WEATHER. SO IT’S A LOT OF HEARING US REPEAT, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. TAKING THAT TO HEART. GETTING THINGS INSIDE BECAUSE WE DO GET WINDS FROM THAT. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS HAVING AN EMERGENCY CONTACT OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY YOU STAY IN, SO YOU CAN LET THEM KNOW YOU’RE SAFE DURING TROPICAL WEATHER. IN BIRMINGHAM MYA CALEB �� 13 MYA. THANK YOU. WILL THE �� 13 APP IS A GREAT RESOURCE TO STAY INFORMED AND PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON. RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN CHECK OUT NOAA’S LATEST FORECAST

This year's hurricane season begins on June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is anticipating a busy season, to say the least.So, how should you prepare to keep yourself and your family safe?Planning ahead:First and foremost, you should know your zone. While there are not any areas in central Alabama that find themselves in a storm surge evacuation zone (you can find those here), it's still important you know where you are when looking at the path of a hurricane.Understanding your path can help you not only decide whether to evacuate but also create a family emergency plan. This includes having a list of meeting places, both within and outside your neighborhood, as well as out of town. Additionally, this will help you practice and reassess once the plan is fully developed.Alongside the emergency plan, develop an evacuation strategy. This requires pinpointing a safe destination and establishing primary and alternate routes for reaching it. If you're lacking adequate transportation, now is the moment to coordinate with a family member, friend, or neighbor. Law enforcement can also provide assistance if needed.Stay informed:Keeping yourself up-to-date can be as crucial as your emergency and evacuation plans. Having a NOAA Weather Radio, local emergency alerts through your county or city, and news alerts from �� 13's First Warning weather team (download our app here).Assemble supplies:If you plan to evacuate or stay home and ride it out, it's essential to be stocked up on disaster supplies.This can mean having:One gallon of water per person per day.Access to non-perishable food items that are easy to prepare (don't forget that manual can opener).At least seven days of prescription medication and any needed over-the-counter drugs.This includes a first-aid kit.Some sort of lighting, whether it be flashlights or LED lanterns (avoid candles if at all possible due to fire risk).Some sort of power (portable chargers or power banks).Includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.Personal hygiene items, important documents, cash, tools, clothing and bedding, sanitizing items and food for any pets.Preparing your home:Make sure to review your insurance policy to confirm it is current and includes coverage for hurricane-related damage. Flooding coverage is usually separate and must be purchased at least 30 days in advance for most insurers.If you find yourself in the path of a hurricane, it may be advantageous to purchase permanent storm shutters or even board up your windows. Impact-resistant doors and windows can also be helpful.Be sure to check the exterior of your home for any objects you might need to secure to prevent them from going airborne.Inland precautions:Although central Alabama is located far from the coast, it still faces significant risks. The region can experience heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds and tornadoes, among various threats.As we saw last year, the Birmingham area can host those evacuating from the path of a hurricane:You can find an even more comprehensive list of what to do before a hurricane hits on NOAA's website. Click here for more.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

This year's hurricane season begins on June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is anticipating a busy season, to say the least.

So, how should you prepare to keep yourself and your family safe?

Planning ahead:

First and foremost, you should know your zone. While there are not any areas in central Alabama that find themselves in a storm surge evacuation zone (you can find those ), it's still important you know where you are when looking at the path of a hurricane.

Understanding your path can help you not only decide whether to evacuate but also create a family emergency plan. This includes having a list of meeting places, both within and outside your neighborhood, as well as out of town. Additionally, this will help you practice and reassess once the plan is fully developed.

Alongside the emergency plan, develop an evacuation strategy. This requires pinpointing a safe destination and establishing primary and alternate routes for reaching it. If you're lacking adequate transportation, now is the moment to coordinate with a family member, friend, or neighbor. Law enforcement can also provide assistance if needed.

Stay informed:

Keeping yourself up-to-date can be as crucial as your emergency and evacuation plans. Having a , local emergency alerts through your county or city, and news alerts from �� 13's First Warning weather team (download our app here).

Assemble supplies:

If you plan to evacuate or stay home and ride it out, it's essential to be stocked up on disaster supplies.

This can mean having:

One gallon of water per person per day.
Access to non-perishable food items that are easy to prepare (don't forget that manual can opener).
At least seven days of prescription medication and any needed over-the-counter drugs.
- This includes a first-aid kit.

Some sort of lighting, whether it be flashlights or LED lanterns (avoid candles if at all possible due to fire risk).
Some sort of power (portable chargers or power banks).
- Includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

Personal hygiene items, important documents, cash, tools, clothing and bedding, sanitizing items and food for any pets.

Preparing your home:

Make sure to review your insurance policy to confirm it is current and includes coverage for hurricane-related damage. Flooding coverage is usually separate and must be purchased at least 30 days in advance for most insurers.

If you find yourself in the path of a hurricane, it may be advantageous to purchase permanent storm shutters or even board up your windows. Impact-resistant doors and windows can also be helpful.

Be sure to check the exterior of your home for any objects you might need to secure to prevent them from going airborne.

Inland precautions:

Although central Alabama is located far from the coast, it still faces significant risks. The region can experience heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds and tornadoes, among various threats.

As we saw last year, the Birmingham area can host those evacuating from the path of a hurricane:

You can find an even more comprehensive list of what to do before a hurricane hits on NOAA's website. Click for more.

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