'We're treating this like 2011': Hale County EMA director on severe weather preparations

HALE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) – Hale County residents need to be prepared now for Friday and Saturday’s severe weather.

“When we go under a tornado warning, all the 911 lines light up,” Hale County’s Emergency Management Agency Director Russell Weeden said.

Once sirens go off, that’s when residents begin looking for a safe place but the EMA urges residents not to wait until it’s too late.

“Now is the time to make that plan so I just can’t stress that enough,” Weeden said.

Hale County resident Patricia Dudley began packing clothes and other supplies Friday morning. Her family plans to head to a shelter before the weather becomes severe Friday night.

“Even if they’re saying it’s a severe thunderstorm, we take it seriously, because you never know what could come out of that,” Dudley said.

Hale County EMA takes all weather threats seriously but ahead of the weekend, they have taken extra precautions.

“We’re treating this like 2011,” Weeden said. “We’re double staffing everything that we have.”

First responders will be working around the clock. Logging crews are already placed throughout Hale County ready to respond to tree damage – which has not been done since April 27, 2011 Weeden said.

That’s why he is urging everyone to know where to go, how to get there, and for those living in a mobile home – leave.

“Get out of that mobile home,” Weeden said. “That’s the number one thing I want to stress.”

While leaving your home to seek shelter elsewhere can be a hassle, the EMA says it needs to be done. Even during Friday’s overnight storms.

“I know it’ll be after midnight, but it’ll save your life,” Weeden said.

The EMA is also urging residents to be prepared for power outages. Have enough supplies such as batteries, flashlights, generators, water, food, clothes, blankets, medicines, anything you need to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.