Tornado Tips - 2011 Alabama Tornados

More than 160 tornadoes rolled across Alabama and neighboring states on April 27th 2011, killing more than 200 people in Alabama alone.

The first people to die were people in the direct path of one of the more than 160 tornadoes who had not been able to seek or find shelter.

And some were those who had found shelter that proved inadequate.

Getting to shelter is best - getting to shelter and being lucky is even better.

The Alabama Governor, Gov. Robert Bentley activated 1400 national guard troops on Apr 27th as the tornados were rolling across the state.

They were to "provide provide emergency assistance to the Alabama counties impacted by the severe weather outbreak".

They joined with local and state police to search for the missing and recover the dead.

Very little looting was reported - just sad people searching for any intact posessions through piles of rubble where buildings used to be.

The police, military, and fire responders were hampered by trees and power lines down across the roads. They have to clear the roads before they can get their emergency vehicles into the area.

Many of the public facilites and emergency services suffered damage to their own facilities, vehicles, and equipment.

• you have to deal with injuries to your family and pets
• you don't know status of friends and family
• you won't know if more bad weather may be on the way
• there may be massive damage to public services:
• your electric power will be out for days to weeks - heat, light, and appliance won't work
• your tap water will be contaminated and undrinkable
• you can't shower because there is no electrcity/heat/water
• you have wind and water damage to your home
• your cell phone may not work, and with no power you won't be able to recharge it telephone land lines will be down for sure

Tornadoes have always been very real and frightening to me, personally.

I grew up a few miles away from Smithfield, Alabama. In April 1977 the "Birmingham Tornado" hit that area with incredible fury.

The tornado, which was at times 3⁄4 miles (1.2 km) wide, was blamed for 22 deaths and more than 125 injuries while damage was estimated at $25 million.

Hundreds of homes were completely destroyed while Daniel Payne College suffered extensive damage, forcing it to permanently close due to the extent of the destruction.

It was followed the next year by the Jefferson County Tornado (F5) of 1998.

That one cut a 31-mile long (49 km), 3/4-mile wide swath through nine Birmingham, Alabama, suburbs and killed 32 people.

Tornados are extremely destructive - clearing houses down to the slab in a limited area - and the wind damage can extend very far from the actual tornado's path.

So when I tell you that I have a few Tornado Tips for you, consider that background.

• Bug Out Bag "SHTF" for every person, child, pet and auto
• solar generator or portable generator for home use (gas)
• 72 hour emergency food supply for everyone
• home first aid kit
• battery-free radio
• battery-free flashlight and/or lightstricks
• privacy room/ shower room
• porta-potty and other hygeine supplies
• plastic sheeting, duct tape, and tarps
• crowbars, saws, and other heavy tools