UPDATED (11 a.m.) Severe Weather Possibility

By Sam Poe
Monday, October 13, 2014 | 6:10 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=2341

The 11:00 update from the National Weather Service now shows two rounds of severe weather this evening. The first round will begin around 3:00 p.m., much earlier than originally anticipated. Please see the graphic above for information on that system. 

Round 2 will begin around 6:00 p.m. and hopefully move through the Winston County by 2 a.m. at the latest. More information on that system is found in the graphic above.

The image above graphic shows the threat assessment for these storms, with a MEDIUM threat of tornadoes and a HIGH threat of damaging winds. Special thanks to our friends at the National Weather Service in Birmingham for allowing us to share these graphics. 

Due to the time frame for this weather situation, please have a reliable source for severe weather notification that will wake you from sleep. Weather radios are the most reliable, as the notifications are issued directly from the National Weather Service as soon as the watch/warning is issued. 

With this potential for severe weather, Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri and Bear Creek Mayor Connie Bishop have been preparing all departments for the situation. Both mayors stated all emergency vehicles have been fueled up and equipment has been checked and prepared for response if needed. In Bear Creek, the basement of the Bobby Bishop Community Center will open as a shelter if ANY watches are issued for Marion County. In Haleyville, all storm shelters will open if a TORNADO Watch is issued. Storm shelters in Haleyville are located downtown at the Safe Center, directly behind the Neighborhood Facilities Building, at the Haleyville Airport, in South Haleyville at the Scout Hut, and behind Pinkard Funeral Home at the Dixie Youth Baseball Fields. Also, please remember no pets will be allowed in any of these shelters. 

Another helpful reminder is to secure items at your home or place of business. Straight line winds and tornadoes are the main threats in this system, which can easily displace items around your home or business.  Common items to secure would be garbage cans and lids, yard signs, trampolines, and patio furniture. These are commonly displaced during high winds, and they can also cause additional damage to your home or business if they are blown into glass.