Over the years, Alabama has incurred major severe weather events that can sometimes be fatal, which most people are unaware of. If you have grown up living in Alabama, this should not come as a surprise, but it might be a scary encounter for people traveling here or college students from different areas.
History of Tuscaloosa’s severe weather
The history of Tuscaloosa’s severe weather can be quite frightening. The extreme weather that takes place mainly consists of tornadoes. What can shock people the most is the fact that there have been multiple deadly tornadoes that have destroyed most of the city before. The most significant and fatal tornado that Tuscaloosa has experienced was the one that occurred on April 27, 2011, which killed 240 people, injured over 2,000, and caused chaos and destruction throughout Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama. In the past ten years, this day consisted of a record number of 62 tornadoes across the state of Alabama, and two remain the most deadly that Alabama has ever encountered, according to the National Weather Service. Since this tornado had such an effect on the Tuscaloosa community and required the help of all citizens to work together to rebuild what had been lost, it is understood why most residents take severe precautions during this time because of the unknown, which causes alarming feelings to arise every time there is predicted dire weather conditions. Since this devastating time for everyone, homes and businesses have been rebuilt, and Tuscaloosa stands stronger than ever before, but this day will live on forever.
Local Resources
Tuscaloosa has multiple resources and meteorologists to help direct people in what actions to take and locations of these storms during these anxious times. James Spann is the most prominent and well-known meteorologist across Alabama and deserves the most credit for keeping the people of Alabama safe and informed. Not only does he help aid during severe storms, but he is also extremely popular within communities by visiting schools and meeting with many different people.
Difference in tornado watch and warning
Many people get confused about the difference between a tornado watch and a warning which can be very confusing. During a watch, you need to pay extra attention to the weather due to the favorable conditions for a tornado to form, but one has not developed yet. When a warning has been issued, cover must be taken immediately in a safe place because there has been a tornado spotted on a weather radar and has the possibility to be traveling in your direction. Either way, both alerts should be taken seriously, and during this time, one should have access to a shelter and weather updates. More information is provided by UA at Tornado Watch vs. Warning: What’s the Difference?
Tornado Shelters across UA campus
Since Alabama is a hot spot for severe weather, the University of Alabama has taken many precautions to keep students safe. These include constant weather monitoring and alerts, shelter, and sirens.
Shelters include places such as:
Hewson Hall
John H. England Jr. Hall
Magnolia Parking Deck
North Lawn Hall
North Engineering Research Center
East Campus
Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center
Capstone Parking Deck
For more information about shelters and best places to be safe during a severe storm go to shelters.
Having a tornado plan
The most critical part of severe weather is understanding the risks and how you can protect yourself and your community. This includes having a plan set in place ahead of time that you can turn to when the weather becomes hazardous. One of the things you can do to prepare is have an emergency kit ready, including a flashlight, water, weather radio, and food. It is also vital that when there is potential for storms, you have a shelter close by that you know will be accessible. Paying attention and being aware of your surroundings is crucial during these times because of the fact that Alabama is prone to tornadoes that can become deadly.
