March 3, 2022
For the 11th year, the Alabama Department of Revenue held a Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Weekend that began Friday, February 25, 2022 and lasted through midnight February 27, 2022. The annual tax holiday weekend is meant to give citizens the opportunity to purchase severe weather preparedness items free of state sales tax.
During the week leading up to this year's sales tax holiday, Calhoun County EMA took the opportunity to share daily preparedness tips. Topics included the new Calhoun County Planning Partners program, building an emergency kit, tornado sheltering guidelines, and ways to receive Calhoun County alerts. Below is a recap of the things we shared and discussed:
Monday
On Monday, Calhoun County EMA introduced the Planning Partners program. This program, in partnership with FEMA's Ready Business and FEMA's "Do1Thing" initiative, encourages businesses and organizations to do at least one thing per month to prepare for emergencies. The program is free, self-paced, simple, and guides businesses and organizations towards building their preparedness and recovery plans.
For more information on Calhoun County's Planning Partners program, email us at ema@calhounema.org and visit calhounema.org/planningpartners.
Tuesday
Tuesday's topic was emergency preparedness kits. Emergency kits are great to have in your home and/or vehicle in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. Kits can be big or small, for one person or for entire families. A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
-Water, snacks, non-perishable foods & utensils -Flashlights, extra batteries, phone chargers -First aid kit, prescription medications -Blankets, sleeping bags, change of clothing & shoes -Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, medications -Pet food, water -Cash, important documents such as copies of insurance policies & bank account records
Store your items in airtight plastic bags & keep all your items in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
Wednesday
Do you know where to go when severe weather is approaching? On day 4 of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Calhoun County EMA shared a few tips to help you remember to Get Inside, Get Low, & Get Covered.
-Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway).
-If possible, avoid sheltering in a room with windows.
-For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress. Protect your head with anything available.
-Do NOT stay in a mobile home.
-If you are outside or in a mobile home, find a nearby building preferably with a basement.
-If you are in a car, do not try to outrun a tornado but instead find the nearest sturdy building.
For a list of Calhoun County community saferooms & safer places, visit calhounema.org/shelters
Thursday
Staying informed is one of the easiest ways to prepare for severe weather. Thursday's preparedness tip was to ensure that you have at least 3 ways to receive alerts during an emergency. You too can take action today to prepare for the next severe weather event!
Below are ways that you can receive Calhoun County emergency alerts:
-Subscribe to free text message alerts by texting CalhounEMA to 888-777.
-Calhoun County’s Everbridge alert system is free, customizable to your location, & the primary way we send out alerts for the county. Sign up takes a couple of quick minutes: https://member.everbridge.net/index/431562608869440/#/signup
-If there is severe weather in the county, the NOAA weather radio will go off. This is a great way to be alerted throughout the night when you may be sleeping. For more information on NOAA weather radios: https://www.weather.gov/.../noaaweatherradiobrochure.pdf
For more information on Calhoun County alerts visit: https://www.calhounema.org/beinformed
For more preparedness tips, click the Preparedness tab on our homepage!
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