Tracking Hurricane Ida, be prepared Alabama for severe weather and flooding

Sixteen years to the day Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, the Gulf Coast  and southern states are once again bracing for a major hurricane, this time Ida. As of early Sunday morning Hurricane Ida is a category 4 storm.

Be Prepared Alabama

At 7:45am, the National Weather Service released the following maps showing the impact Ida may have on the southwestern area of Alabama. Here are their latest maps via Facebook. 

Flooding

Along with high winds and possible tornadoes and may occur, Alabamians also need to prepare for potential flash flooding. 

Let’s remember, the 2nd leading cause of weather related deaths over the past 30 years were not hurricanes or tornadoes, but flooding.

Many of those tragic events happen while people are driving their car through flooded areas. tips from the US National Weather Service on how to avoid getting caught in a bad situation concerning floods.

What else should you do during flood warnings?  Besides avoiding flooded area in you car, here are tips from Ready.gov:

IF YOU ARE UNDER A FLOOD WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
• Determine how best to protect yourself based on the type of flooding.
• Evacuate if told to do so.
• Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
• Stay where you are.

If You Need Help

The NWS office released this graphic for ways to reach their local Emergency Management Agency. 

We also recommend you follow Alabama Power’s storm center checklist about power outages and preparation for the storm.

How to Help

In the coming days, expect The Bama Buzz to release information on ways you can help our neighbors in the aftermath of Ida.  Stay tuned for details.

Meanwhile, be weather aware and safe in the coming hours and days.