Alabama severe weather: How to stay safe

5 ways to stay safe during severe weather

NOW, AN IMPORTANT PART FOR PREPARING FOR THIS WEEKEND鈥橲 STORM IS HAVING A PLACE THAT YOU RECEIVE WEATHER ALERTS IN TIME. 米兰体育 13 JON PAEPCKE JOINS US NOW LIVE BY ONE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY鈥橲 SIRENS THERE IN HOMEWOOD. AND JOHN, JUST HOW MANY ARE COVERING THAT COUNTY? WELL, LISA, THERE ARE 250 TORNADO SIRENS LIKE THIS ONE HERE ON WEST VALLEY AVENUE IN HOMEWOOD, SCATTERED ALL OVER JEFFERSON COUNTY. BUT IN THIS DAY AND AGE, THERE ARE MUCH MORE RELIABLE FORMS OF ALERT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHEN A STORM IS HEADED YOUR WAY. NOW, EARLIER TODAY, WE DID STOP BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE THAT IS DOWN IN CALERA. METEOROLOGIST CHRIS DURDEN ACTUALLY SHOWED US HOW MUCH EASIER IT IS NOW TO PROGRAM WEATHER RADIOS, WHICH WILL ALERT YOU IN REAL TIME WHEN A POTENTIAL TORNADO COULD BE HEADED TO YOUR COMMUNITY. NOW, THERE ARE ALSO COUNTLESS EMERGENCY APPS THROUGH COUNTY, EMA AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WHICH WILL ALERT YOU WHEN STORMS ARE GETTING CLOSE TO YOU AS WELL. DARDEN SAYS MORE GOVERNMENTS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM SIRENS BECAUSE THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE SMARTPHONES WITH BUILT IN ALARM NOTIFICATIONS. SO YOU JUST NEED TO CHECK ON YOUR SETTINGS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THOSE TURNED ON. IF YOU GET A NEW PHONE, THEY鈥橰E DESIGNED TO BE TURNED ON, SO YOU鈥橠 HAVE TO YOU鈥橠 HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GO IN AND TURN THOSE OFF. NOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAIN ALERT SYSTEM ON YOUR SMARTPHONE IS TURNED ON IS VERY EASY, JUST GO TO THE NOTIFICATION PAGE UNDER YOUR SETTINGS, SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY BOTTOM, PAST ALL THESE APPS TO MAKE SURE YOUR EMERGENCY TOGGLES ARE ALL TURNED TO GREEN.

5 ways to stay safe during severe weather

LATEST FORECAST | 米兰体育 13 LIVE DOPPLER RADAR | UPLOAD YOUR WEATHER PHOTOS | GET WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS When severe weather rolls in, it's important to keep you and your family safe. Watch NWS discuss having multiple ways to get alerts ahead of the deadly tornado outbreak on March 15 in the video player above.米兰体育 13 has prepared a list of ways to help safety stay at the top of your mind. 1. PrepareKnow the forecast from your 米兰体育 13 meteorologists and create a plan. Make sure all loose items outside of your home are removed or tied down. >> YOUR FORECAST: The latest from 米兰体育 13 meteorologists 2. Turn on NotificationsDownload the 米兰体育 13 app and turn on notifications here. Have a radio on hand.For the latest Birmingham weather information and Central Alabama's certified most accurate forecast, watch 米兰体育 13 News. 3. Seek ShelterStay indoors to protect yourself from flying debris. If caught outside, avoid isolated trees and water.Avoid windows: broken glass can cause injuries. During a Tornado Warning, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the building.Video below: Meteorologist Jordan West gives you a look at safety tips for severe weather 4. Stay off the roadsRoads can flood quickly and debris can cause crashes. Avoid being on the road. If you have to go out, make trips short and use headlights and windshield wipers, according to ALEA. >> CHECK YOUR AREA: 米兰体育 13 Live Doppler Radar 5. Avoid water and electrical equipmentDon't swim, walk or drive through floodwaters. Six inches of water can knock an adult over and one foot of water can sweep a vehicle away. Floodwaters hide debris, animals and other dangers.Inside, avoid plumbing, like sinks, toilets and tubs.Unplug and don't use wired electronics during an electrical storm. After a storm, stay away from fallen power lines, which can still be live. Report fallen power lines to Alabama Power by calling 1-800-888-2726 or 911. >> BE AWARE: Current weather alerts in your areaFor the latest weather coverage for your area, click here. And stay updated with alerts in the 米兰体育 13 app. You can download it here.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

| 米兰体育 13 LIVE DOPPLER RADAR | UPLOAD YOUR WEATHER PHOTOS | GET WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS

When severe weather rolls in, it's important to keep you and your family safe.

Watch NWS discuss having multiple ways to get alerts ahead of the deadly tornado outbreak on March 15 in the video player above.

米兰体育 13 has prepared a list of ways to help safety stay at the top of your mind.

1. Prepare

Know the forecast from your 米兰体育 13 meteorologists and create a plan. Make sure all loose items outside of your home are removed or tied down.

>> YOUR FORECAST: The latest from 米兰体育 13 meteorologists

2. Turn on Notifications

Download the 米兰体育 13 app and turn on notifications here. Have a radio on hand.

For the latest Birmingham weather information and Central Alabama's certified most accurate forecast, watch 米兰体育 13 News.

3. Seek Shelter

Stay indoors to protect yourself from flying debris. If caught outside, avoid isolated trees and water.

Avoid windows: broken glass can cause injuries. During a Tornado Warning, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the building.

Video below: Meteorologist Jordan West gives you a look at safety tips for severe weather

4. Stay off the roads

Roads can flood quickly and debris can cause crashes. Avoid being on the road. If you have to go out, make trips short and use headlights and windshield wipers, according to ALEA.

>> CHECK YOUR AREA: 米兰体育 13 Live Doppler Radar

5. Avoid water and electrical equipment

Don't swim, walk or drive through floodwaters. Six inches of water can knock an adult over and one foot of water can sweep a vehicle away. Floodwaters hide debris, animals and other dangers.

Inside, avoid plumbing, like sinks, toilets and tubs.

Unplug and don't use wired electronics during an electrical storm. After a storm, stay away from fallen power lines, which can still be live. Report fallen power lines to Alabama Power by calling 1-800-888-2726 or 911.

>> BE AWARE: Current weather alerts in your area

For the latest weather coverage for your area, click here. And stay updated with alerts in the 米兰体育 13 app. You can download it here.

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5 ways to stay safe during severe weather

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1. Prepare

2. Turn on Notifications

3. Seek Shelter

4. Stay off the roads

5. Avoid water and electrical equipment

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