Alabama Braces for Severe Storms with Tornado Risk: More than 20 million people from eastern Texas to the Southeast are facing a threat of severe storms beginning Monday afternoon, with some areas bracing for the possibility of tornadoes or hail, according to forecasters.
Damaging winds and several tornadoes, a few of which may be strong, will be the primary hazards, the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center said early Monday. Damaging winds and large hail are also possible, the center noted.
The storm system is headed into the South after blowing through the Rockies over the weekend, leaving heavy mountain snowfall piled nearly a foot high in several parts of Utah, Nevada and Colorado, preliminary snow reports show.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to blow across eastern Texas Monday afternoon before marching across the lower Mississippi Valley and toward Alabama through the night, the storm center said.
An enhanced risk level for severe storms, or a level 3 of 5, has been issued for parts of northern Louisiana and central Mississippi, including Jackson, Mississippi, and Alexandria, Louisiana, the center said.
Less severe threat levels slight and marginal risk have been issued from Texas to Alabama and Arkansas, including Houston and Little Rock, Arkansas.
The storms may bring a brief reprieve to drought-stricken Louisiana and Mississippi, which could see excessive rainfall of up to 2 inches on Monday, and as many as 3 inches in some areas, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Louisiana is suffering through its worst drought on record one thats fed unprecedented wildfires and contributed to the potentially catastrophic intrusion of saltwater into the Mississippi River. Exceptional drought the US Drought Monitors most extreme category now covers nearly three-quarters of the state, according to data released last week. In neighboring Mississippi, exceptional drought has spread over more than half of the state.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What part of Alabama is considered Tornado Alley?
Alabama may not be located in Tornado Alley, but it falls within the tornado-prone Dixie Alley. This area, often considered the South’s equivalent to Tornado Alley, experiences a significantly higher frequency of tornadoes each year compared to other regions in the United States.
How do you brace for a tornado?
In a tornado warning, stay away from areas with lots of trees and vehicles. Get down flat in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground and cover your head with an object or your arms. Keep away from windows and glass doorways, and head to the innermost part of the building on the lowest floor.
Where in Alabama gets the most tornadoes?
Mobile County ranked first in 2022 for the highest number of confirmed tornadoes, reaching a total of 12. Each tornado recorded was classified as either EF-0 or EF-1, as reported by the weather service.
How do you prepare for a tornado in Alabama?
Invest in a weather radio to stay informed. Be proactive and ready for emergencies. In a house, seek shelter in the lower level or basement. If in a mobile home, evacuate to a nearby shelter or building basement when a tornado warning is issued. Keep safety a priority.