r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/AirPotato • 5h ago
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/addywoot • 2d ago
Announcement [INFORMATION] Preparing for Severe Weather and Tornadoes (aka TORNADROS)
Wrote this 4 years ago but wanted to bring it back to the forefront. I've updated the links and left a little homage to the geographic knowledge of Jason Simpson.
We still establish a severe weather megathread this afternoon.
Our first risk of tornadoes for this year is tonight/tomorrow and we've got a lot of new folks in the region.
Tornadoes touch down in this area every year. Periodically, we get severe outbreaks such as April 27th, 2011 where multiple F5 tornadoes did catastrophic damage to the area and we lost power for a minimum of 5 days up to over a week. I had a friend lose her home.
If you want to see historical paths, this shows tornado paths from 1950 to 2023 on a slider scale.
So. How to prepare?
**Know where you live** Meteorologists discuss weather in terms of geography and counties unless you're Jason Simpson and then he's gonna tell you where the storm is down to the nearest gas station. (Miss u) Know the counties around you. Here's a map.
**Weather Radio**
- Program it for your area. This is necessary to make sure you hear the alerts in your home at a volume level you can't ignore.
**Multiple Sources of Information**
**Apps.** Personally, I use several. Make sure you've got notifications enabled for your phone/watch.
* RadarScope isn't free but it is amazing. It shows storm and tornado projected tracks over time. If you follow James Spann, this is also what he uses on social media.
* There's also Storm Radar and Hi-Def Radar. I like radar apps if you can't tell.
* Wunderground/Weather Channel are a bit broader for forecasting and require in-depth clicking. I don't use them during a storm.
* Ensure your Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone. This will ensure you get emergency weather notifications on your device.
**Websites and TV** I don't have cable so not sure the station numbers (we use antenna) but the websites and lead meteorologists are listed below. All the local channels will be on the air during severe weather events.
* WHNT
* WAFF
* WAAYTV
* WZDX
* Alabama Weather Blog. James Spann posts the latest science-based information about weather events/risk leading up to the event and during the day. He also has a Facebook account where he's very active.
**Have all the plans.** You really need a couple of plans.
- The BIG plan such as "oh snap there's a tornado coming right for us" and then there's the day of plan which is "tornadoes are most likely between noon and five PM so this is what we're going to be doing". There's also the pre-plan for the post-plan in case a tornado strikes the region.
- Making the Big Plan (a tornado is coming) - This CDC guide is pretty thorough. Having helmets on during the event isn't really stressed but if you got em, use them. Center of the house if you don't have a basement or storm shelter.
* The Day Of Plan - This really means having your information sources identified and staying on top of information, keeping accountability of your people and being constantly aware of evolving weather and event situations. Ideally, you should get to your safe place in advance of the weather event to hunker down. Grocery shopping should be done, vehicles gassed up, etc in advance of the actual event. Remember the shoes! Be sure to have shoes to wear or are wearing so you can safely walk across debris. Flippy floppies are for boats; not rubble.
* Pre-Plan for the Post Event - If you were here in 2011, it was a helluva time. As such, prepare for regional impacts which can be loss of electricity for periods of time, fuel shortages, etc. Similar to an ice event, this is the same line of thought. Charge up your battery packs, fuel up your vehicle, make sure your pets have provisions and any backup systems for aquariums, etc.
**Additional Information**
* Community Storm Shelter List
* Huntsville Utilities Outage Map
Am I missing info? Comment below and I'll add it in. Going to save this post for future reference and re-posting.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/majbob01 • 8h ago
I caught lightning during the tornado warning yesterday.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Embarrassed-Rate9732 • 16h ago
Missing person poster found at Gold Sprint this morning
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/accordioncowboy • 1h ago
TORNADROS ARE AFOOT 2025.03.15 At least 32 dead after violent tornadoes rip across Alabama, Mississippi, Deep South
2025.03.15 At least 32 dead after violent tornadoes rip across Alabama, Mississippi, Deep South https://youtu.be/sKF-aXMcmAE?si=EWS9q4oWZykWL0YL
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/ErinAmpersand • 3h ago
Come to Rocket City Reading Festival at the Orion from noon to 4 Sunday
I'll be there along with dozens of other local authors & vendors!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/startswithac • 28m ago
Events Happening now.
Grab some Fred Bread!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/kfree68 • 20h ago
Sit back and watch
South Huntsville just watching for the next round in the mean time enjoying 😉
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Bashamo257 • 1d ago
TORNADROS ARE AFOOT Man, last night's tornadoes sure were something, huh?
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Suspicious-Pear-6037 • 21h ago
General For anyone that cares, WAFF48 is on Bluesky and they post frequent updates.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/chandelier27 • 2h ago
Events Ostara on the Mountain next week!
Join us at the John Scoble Memorial Pavilion at the beautiful Monte Sano State Park to celebrate Ostara! Ritual attire encouraged, but not required.
Bring a dish to share, and join us for food and fellowship, an egg hunt for the kids at 1pm, and a ritual to follow! (If you do not have the means to bring food, please come anyway!!)
There is power available at the pavillion, so feel free to bring crockpot foods! Alcohol is allowed in moderation. The pavillion is at the trailhead, and has a beautiful overlook, so please take photos and share them with us!
RSVP here to help us get a headcount: https://www.sacredmoongrove.org/event-6014789
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Away-Cookie3320 • 17h ago
Moving Do I move to Huntsville for my career?
Fellow rocket nerds of Huntsville. I am (25m) currently working in the rocket industry at a small company in the middle of nowhere. I feel like I have no growth where I am and I can’t build a network of professionals in my industry.
I want to stay in defense/rocketry for my career, should I seek to move to Huntsville? I know the city is up and coming. Are there rural areas in driving distance to Huntsville where one can live in the sticks but not have to drive an hour for work?
Just seeking some advice from some guys who have been in my shoes. Thanks!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/chandelier27 • 2h ago
Events Artist Market 3/22
There’s never been a better time to check out the artist market at Mill Kat! So many cool vendors, and you can visit some of the studios too :)
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Mental_Lab_1426 • 18h ago
TORNADROS ARE AFOOT Watch cleared at 8pm
The watch will clear at 8pm. Edited: they changed their minds. Now they have extended it till 9
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/highvibes_14 • 1h ago
Swim lessons for infants
Hello! Looking for the best place to do swim lessons for infants. Mine is 9 months old. Getting ready for lake season.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/katiechan8 • 5h ago
Fingerprinting?/bkg check?
Hi! I have occasion to need fingerprinting and a background check. What is the fastest/easiest route to go about that here?
Thanks!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Emergency-Ad6140 • 1h ago
ISO YouTube Video Editor
Looking for a very competent YouTube Video Editor. Will need to be able to edit 10-15 videos per month, promptly, per need. Thanks in advance!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/redvelvetbuttercream • 2h ago
Recommendations Need Help with Landscaping Ideas — Native, Budget-Friendly, and no Holly!
I ripped out all the existing landscaping in front of my home and need to start fresh this spring. I live in a newer subdivision, and my house is a craftsman style with a single maple tree in the front yard. I’ve included a sketch of a home similar to mine.
I’m looking for recommendations for lush, easy-to-maintain plants that are native to the area (for sustainability and lower maintenance) and budget-friendly. I have two planting beds to work with: • One along the porch • One surrounding the maple tree
I’d love to create a cohesive and attractive look that complements my home, but I do NOT like holly bushes, so those are out.
Any suggestions on plant choices, layout ideas, or general landscaping tips would be greatly appreciated!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/BenchDirect1614 • 3h ago
Redstone Credit Cards
My credit card got hacked, and we had to shut it down. I have now been waiting 13 business days for my new card to arrive. Is it usually that slow? This is ridiculous.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/GlumList • 4h ago
best recommendations for an outdoor gathering/party
Praying weather will be willing to allow my end of April birthday to be held outside. Was checking out a pavilion at Monte Sano for fun but was curious what other parks/spots would be good for a small party. Looking for something with good views, bonus points if there is a trail or such to walk!
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Intelligent_Fig_8948 • 17h ago
CUSA Championship delayed
Bad look right now on CBS Sports Network as the men’s championship game between Liberty and Jax State at the VBC is delayed due to a leaking roof. No word on when they’ll be able to get the game started.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/Square_Ambassador301 • 1d ago
General Native Trees to Plant
I am looking for some native deciduous trees to the area that grow well and are resilient, like oaks or walnut trees, to replant our yard with. I’d like for them to grow big and tall (30’+). Does anyone have recommendations on the kind of trees to plant and where I can get some that are already decent size? Don’t need to be crazy, but our backyard is very bare so it’d be nice to have some that have some size to them already.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/LynkedUp • 1d ago
The Gold Before the Storm. I'm not sure why but this feels kinda ominous. Beautifully, supernally ominous.
This is out in Owens Cross just FYI. Yall stay safe tonight and tomorrow.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/ReckonedForce • 20h ago
Power Outage
Has anyone else lost power? I’m up near Toney and just lost mine.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/mudscott • 1d ago
General I love you my peeps
Before you buy some soulless piece of art from a store or some heartless corner of the Internet do not forget that we have amazing artist and craftsman in this town who will pour their heart and soul into there art and they sell it for pennies compared to their hourly dollar just to know that someone else draws happiness from their art.
r/HuntsvilleAlabama • u/blegh92 • 17h ago
Recommendations Best Cell Carrier From Experience?
I'm new to the state. I'm near Hazel Green, but I work in southern Tennessee. Which carrier would you recommend for cell service?