Autauga County storm shelter prepared for possible severe weather

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) – On the surface, First Baptist Church Posey Crossroads appears like another church in Autauga County, however on the within it’s designed to resist among the harshest storms.

“This particular shelter is designed to take a direct hit from an F5 twister,” mentioned Autauga County Emergency Administration Company director Ernie Baggett.

He believes having the county’s most sturdy shelters inside church buildings ensures they aren’t uncared for over time.

The shelter at First Baptist Church Posey Crossroads is commonly used as a classroom, which means it’s air conditioned and cleaned.

It may possibly match as much as 100 folks, however essentially the most it has ever hosted was 65, officers mentioned. It’s one among two Federal Emergency Administration Company-rated storm shelters within the space.

The room is product of cinder block and guarded by a metal door. The EMA director mentioned an identical shelter exists at Boones Chapel Baptist Church.

Different organizations additionally open their doorways. The EMA refers to these places as “safer locations.”

“At the moment’s actually the day to be form of figuring that stuff out,” Baggett mentioned. “Know the place you’re going to go, so you possibly can decide how lengthy it’s going to take you to get there.”

People who depart their residence searching for shelter might be driving at the hours of darkness or rain. They might have to plan for extra time to reach safely.

The pastor, Tom Jordan, mentioned his church is ready to welcome folks inside their shelter if extreme climate strikes. They’ll put up updates on Fb.

“As a church, we need to give folks a possibility to have a protected place to come back and to indicate our love and compassion in the direction of this group,” Jordan mentioned. “That’s why this storm shelter was put in.”

The EMA director burdened it is very important be ready and know your choices.

“Should you don’t really feel snug the place you’re, go forward and make some preparations right now,” Baggett mentioned.

He additionally desires folks to verify their climate radios have contemporary batteries as a result of twister sirens will not be meant to be heard indoors.

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