Alabama’s tornado season is here. Are you prepared?
Every year, severe storms tear through Central Alabama, putting homes and families at risk. Tornadoes can form quickly, leaving little time to react—which is why the best way to stay safe is to prepare before disaster strikes.
From building an emergency kit to knowing where to take shelter, a solid plan can make all the difference. And if a tornado does hit your area, knowing what to do after the storm is just as important for staying safe and starting recovery.
In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about tornado preparedness, survival and recovery. Because when the sirens sound, your plan should already be in motion.
1. Sign up for Emergency Weather Alerts
🔹 How to get emergency weather notifications in Central Alabama:
Each county offers an emergency notification system that sends alerts directly to your phone. Click below to sign up for your county:
Blount County
Emergency Notifications
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Chilton County
Emergency Notifications
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Jefferson County
Emergency Notifications
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Shelby County
Emergency Notifications
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St. Clair County
Emergency Notifications
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Walker County
Emergency Notifications
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🌪️ Why sirens aren’t enough:
Don’t wait until you hear an outdoor siren—by then, it may be too late. Sirens are only meant for outdoor warnings, and they’re not reliable indoors, during power outages or in high winds.
The safest way to get immediate, life-saving weather alerts is through a NOAA Weather Radio. It will wake you up at night, work when cell networks fail and provide real-time warnings straight from the National Weather Service.
For the most reliable alerts, keep a NOAA weather radio tuned to your local station. Find Central Alabama NOAA radio frequencies here.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe!
During emergencies, NOAA Weather Radio provides critical alerts. Find your local frequency and be prepared.
2. Know Where to Go: Find a Safe Shelter
When a tornado warning is issued, every second counts—knowing where to go beforehand can save your life. Having a shelter plan ensures you and your loved ones aren’t scrambling for safety when a storm is already on the way.
Storm Shelters: Safest Option
The best protection against a tornado is a purpose-built storm shelter. Many counties in Alabama have designated public shelters—check your county’s Emergency Management website for locations.
If you have access to a personal storm cellar or a community shelter, make sure:
- ✔ You know how long it takes to get there. Don’t wait until the last minute!
- ✔ The entrance is securely fastened to withstand high winds.
- ✔ Your emergency kit is already inside (flashlight, weather radio, food, water, etc.).
Blount County
Storm Shelter Locations
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Chilton County
Storm Shelter Locations
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Jefferson County
Storm Shelter Locations
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Shelby County
Storm Shelter Locations
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St. Clair County
Storm Shelter Locations
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Walker County
Storm Shelter Locations
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What to do if you’re at home
Head for Storm Cellars and Basements
Being completely underground is the best place to be in a tornado. If you have an underground storm cellar, use it. Make sure the door is securely fastened. If the entrance to your storm cellar is outside, you should allow plenty of time to get to the shelter before the storm arrives. A basement is also a good shelter in most cases. If your basement is not totally underground, or has outside doors or windows, stay as far away from them as possible.
Safer places can include interior bathrooms, closets, hallways (be sure to shut all the doors leading to the closet) and under stairs.
What if you don’t have an underground or reinforced shelter?
- ✅ Go to a small, windowless interior room (such as a closet or bathroom) on the lowest level of your home.
- ✅ Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible—avoid rooms with exterior doors or windows.
- ✅ If possible, get under a heavy table, mattress, or sturdy furniture to protect yourself from debris.
- ✅ Wear shoes and bring your emergency supply kit—this includes flashlights, a NOAA Weather Radio, and first aid supplies.
What if you’re in an apartment?
The basic tornado safety guidelines apply if you live in an apartment. Get to the lowest floor, with as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Consider using an apartment clubhouse or laundry room as a shelter if you live on an upper floor.
What if you’re in a mobile home?
🚨 DO NOT stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Even a weak tornado (EF-1) can completely destroy or roll over a mobile home. Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to damage in a storm. The NWS says even a “weak” EF-1 tornado can cause severe damage to a mobile home or cause it to roll over. The best advice for mobile home dwellers is to have a safe place set up ahead of time and get there well before bad weather arrives. Taking cover under sturdy furniture, in a bathtub or closet or under a mattress will be meaningless in a mobile home if the home itself is destroyed, blown over, or rolled over by tornado or severe thunderstorm winds.
3. Build an Emergency Supply Kit
Beyond deciding where to shelter in the case of a tornado, it’s also important to prepare for the worst-case scenarios, such as significant damage to your home, community and infrastructure for services including power, water and internet. A disaster kit ensures you have essential supplies if power, water or internet goes out.
🛠️ Tornado Survival Kit Checklist:
- 🏜 Water – 1 gallon per person per day (for at least 3 days)
- 🍲 Non-perishable food – Enough for 3+ days
- 💊 First aid kit
- 🔦 Flashlight & extra batteries
- 🔌 Backup power banks for cell phones
- 👞 Sturdy shoes – If you have to take shelter quickly, you may not have time to grab shoes. Keep a pair of sneakers or boots in your emergency kit to protect your feet from debris when exiting after the storm.
- 🛠 Basic tools (wrench, pliers, multi-tool)
- 📍 Local maps (for navigating in case of damaged roads)
- 🧼 Personal hygiene supplies (moist towelettes, hand sanitizer)
For more information about putting together an emergency kit, visit Ready.gov and Weather.gov.
4. What to Do After the Storm
If your home or community suffers tornado damage, help is available.
United Way of Central Alabama partners with local agencies to provide:
- ✅ Emergency shelter & housing assistance
- ✅ Food, clothing, and hygiene supplies
- ✅ Crisis counseling & mental health support
- ✅ Financial assistance for disaster recovery
📞 Need help? Call 2-1-1.
UWCA operates the 2-1-1 resource hotline for Blount, Cullman, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties.
Dial 2-1-1 to get connected to disaster relief services near you.
United Way of Central Alabama connects people to
help, even in the worst of times when it’s needed most
Some of the most urgent conditions we see in our service area are related to mental health and natural disasters. Alabama experiences about 63 tornadoes per year, according to national weather data sources.
United Way connects individuals to resources for support and safety in times of crisis, whether through counseling and intervention, housing assistance or access to resources and fulfillment of basic needs.