Story by Staff Reports
Much of the state is under a threat of severe weather from Friday night through Saturday night, according to the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency. Everyone is urged to stay aware of the weather, to have multiple ways to get weather warnings, including one that will wake them if they are sleeping when dangerous conditions come up.
Predictiions for Friday night included storms with damaging winds up to 60 mph, a tornado or two, and up-to one inch in diameter hail.
For Saturday afternoon and evening, forecasters said the threat of severe weather increases, with multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms predicted, capable of producing damaging winds of 70 mph or more, large hail (one inch-plus in diameter), flash flooding, and several tornadoes – some as strong as EF2or more.
There is a threat as well, from non-thunderstorm winds, persisting from Friday night through Saturday night, bringing wind gusts up to 35-50 mph.
People are urged to secure outdoor furniture and any other loose outdoor objects before the storms arrive, and to make a plan
Go to dchsema.us and click on Alert DeKalb Banner to get free weather alerts.
Here is a list of community shelters in DeKalb County:
City of Crossville, 14521 AL 68, beside Crossville Fire Department
City of Henagar, 1106 Greenbriar Drive, one-quarter mile south of Koch Foods
City of Ider Community Safer Space, 10808, AL Hwy 75, across from Ider Town Hall
Town of Powell, 110 Broad Street N, across from town hall
City of Rainsville, 76 Chavies Road, behind Plainview School
Town of Shiloh, 2489 Main Street, Rainsville, behind Shiloh Fire Department
Town of Fyffe, 514 Campbell Street, beside Fyffe Town Hall
Town of Geraldine, 41303 AL Hwy 75, behind Geraldine Town Hall
Town of Sylvania, 14 Enterprise Street, beside Sylvania Fire Department
Upper Sand Moutnain Parrish, 22474 AL Hwy 75, Sylvania, inside Upper Sand Mountain Parrish
Town of Valley Head, 9600 Alabama 117, Valley Head, adjacent to city park
DeKalb County Courthouse Tunnel, Community Safer Space, 210 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, between courthouse and Revenue Commission office