Story Published:
Feb 22, 2012 at 3:23 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 22, 2012 at 3:23 AM CDT
With the primary severe weather and tornado season approaching, Alabama and Tennessee have joined forces to improve disaster preparedness by declaring this week Severe Weather Awareness Week.
From February 19 to February 24, the Alabama and Tennessee Emergency Management Agencies and the National Weather Service (NWS) will be providing residents with information on how to prepare for an emergency and how to respond when a disaster is imminent.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) also offers guidance on preparing for disasters:
Monday: Severe Thunderstorms
Tuesday: Lightning
Wednesday: Tornado Preparedness
Thursday: Flooding and Flash Floods
Friday: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radios
The Severe Weather Awareness Week comes after an estimated 343 tornadoes from April 25-27 swept through 13 states, including Alabama and Tennessee, resulting in 321 deaths and more than $9 billion in total damages, according to NWS. Tornadoes significantly battered Alabama, as 240 occurred in the state during the outbreak, including an EF-5 tornado in northern Alabama that resulted in 248 fatalities and destroyed nearly 8,000 homes.
More recently, more than 500 homes and 50 businesses were damaged or destroyed in Alabama by rare tornadoes in January. Build a safe room using information provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the IBHS.
Meanwhile, 77 percent of tornadoes have wind speeds that are less than 110 mph, according to the National Climatic Data Center. Use IBHS’ FORTFIEID stronger, safer building standards to help protect your home and business against weaker tornadoes and high winds.
