The Alabama Emergency Management Agency encourages everyone to prepare for severe weather early Monday as storms could bring damaging winds, large hail and even potential tornadoes across the state starting this afternoon into early Tuesday morning.
Alabama EMA Director Brian Hastings said residents need to make sure they have a plan, plenty of supplies and a weather radio to receive watches and warnings.
“As residents review their emergency kits and plans, it is important for everyone to ensure they can receive the latest forecast so families will know when to make critical decisions,” Hastings said. “Each Alabama resident plays a significant role in mitigating risks associated with severe weather threats–to know and to take action is the essence of a culture of preparedness.”
The basic emergency supply kit should include:
- One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food items
- Battery powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
National Weather Service forecasters are urging Alabamians to be cautious Monday, which is predicted to be the most active severe weather day Alabama has had since last spring. According to Superintendent of Education Mitchell Guice Cherokee County Schools will be dismissed at 1:00pm today and all after school activities will be cancelled due to the threat of severe weather.
The following school systems are dismissing early on Monday due to the incoming severe weather:
- Cherokee County Schools dismiss at 1:00pm and all after school activities are cancelled
- Gadsden State Community College will close all campuses at 1:00pm
- Cherokee County Child Development Center will be closing at 12:30pm
- CED Mental Health closing at 1:30pm
- Cherokee County Baptist Association will cancel their bi-annual meeting scheduled for Monday night at Unity Hill Baptist Church
- Attalla City Schools dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Birmingham City Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Blount County Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Calhoun County School System will dismiss at 12:45 p.m.
- Cullman County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Cullman City Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Colbert County Schools dismiss at 1 p.m. After-school activities are cancelled.
- Etowah County Schools dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Florence City Schools will dismiss Pre-K through sixth grades at 11:30 a.m. and 7-12 at 12:30 p.m. All after school activities are cancelled.
- Franklin County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Gadsden City Schools dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Haleyville City Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School will dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Huntsville City Schools will use the following schedule to dismiss students: Pre-K will dismiss at 11 a.m. Chapman Middle School, Whitesburg Middle School, Morris Elementary, Mtn. Gap Middle, Williams School, AAA, ASFL, and all elementary and P-6 schools will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Middle schools at noon. High schools at 12:30 p.m.
- Lauderdale County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Lawrence County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Russellville City Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Sheffield City Schools dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
- Sumiton Christian School will dismiss at noon.
- Tuscumbia City Schools at 1:30 p.m.
- Madison City Schools will dismiss Pre-k and secondary schools at noon and elementary schools at 12:45 p.m.
- Madison County Schools dismiss at 12:30 p.m. All afternoon athletic and extracurricular events are canceled.
- Marion County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Muscle Shoals City Schools to close at 1:30 p.m. All extracurricular activities are cancelled.
- Pickens County Schools to dismiss at noon.
- Oneonta City Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m.
- Walker County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Wallace State Community College will close at 1 p.m.
- Winfield City Schools will dismiss at noon
- Winston County Schools will dismiss at noon.
- Jasper City Schools will dismiss at noon.
(al.com/www.al.com)