Protect Your Family and Property From Spring Storms
The anniversary of a deadly tornado that struck Enterprise is still a time of remembrance for the community and a poignant reminder to be prepared.
The anniversary is marked with a moment of silence for the 9 fatalities.
Many Enterprise residents remember exactly where they were at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2007, when a tornado with 170 miles per hour winds touched down at the airport, tore through neighborhoods, and slammed into the high school, toppling a concrete wall onto students who were crouching in what they thought was the safest place, the science and math wing. 8 students perished, along with a person downtown.
The 500-yard-wide, 10-mile-long slice of destruction left a lasting impact.
A memorial was erected at the site of the destroyed high school and a plaque was placed in the foyer of the new high school to commemorate the victims. Forecast and communication programs have improved, and new storm shelters have been built. New schools are being constructed to withstand 200 mph winds and to serve as shelters during severe weather.
1 way to stock supplies and be prepared is to take advantage of Alabama’s severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday. From Friday, February 21, at 12:01 a.m. until Sunday, Feb. 23, at midnight, state sales tax will not be charged on certain severe weather preparedness items.
Stock Up
A list of items that will be tax-exempt can be printed from the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website: revenue.alabama.gov. The list includes batteries, weather radios, flashlights, tarps, plywood, and other items for protecting windows in storms, ice chests and coolers, generators, ice packs, fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors, and first-aid kits.
Charge Up
If severe weather is in the forecast, be sure to charge cellphones, laptops, and other devices so you can communicate your location with family and first responders and keep updated about storms. Keep a small air horn on hand to alert responders to your location.
Listen Up
A weather radio provides reliable information. Also, Wireless Emergency Alerts are included in cellphone software to make a loud sound and warn of a severe weather watch. If a watch escalates to a warning, seek shelter.
Shelter Up
Shelters are generally located in or near schools, churches, fire departments, and other government buildings.