Tropical storm could bring flooding, strong winds

Published 3:39 pm Monday, November 9, 2009

Shelby County could face some bad weather courtesy of Tropical Storm Ida, according to the National Weather Service.

Meteorologist Mark Rose said Shelby County could see rainfall of more than five inches, as well as winds of speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

“We’re expecting to be under a flood watch tonight and tomorrow. We’re expecting rainfall in the amount of probably two to four inches across the area, and possibly higher than five inches across Shelby County,” Rose said. “We’re also expecting the wind to increase tonight from the east up to 15-25 miles per hour, possibly as high as 35 miles per hour.”

Rose said Shelby County citizens could expect to see most of the bad weather between midnight Monday and noon Tuesday.

“The main concern is the rainfall and secondly, the wind. The wind’s not really going to cause any problem, but we’re a little concerned about the flooding,” he said.

The bad weather should move out of the area Tuesday afternoon. No bad weather is expected for Wednesday.

Storm preparation tips, courtesy of Alabama Power:

Before the storm:

-Charge cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices.

-Have several flashlights with extra batteries on hand, as well as a first-aid kit.

-Keep a three-day minimum supply of water, plus three days’ worth of food and drink that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

-Use a battery-operated weather radio.

-Seek shelter inside a sturdy building. Choose a room with no windows.

After the storm:

-If power is out, call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-2726.

-Turn off appliances to avoid potential safety hazards when power comes back on.

-Stay away from downed lines. Report downed lines to police or to Alabama Power.

-Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or debris. Stay away from areas where repair crews are working.

If you use a portable generator:

-Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

-Do not plug in portable generators to household wiring, as this can cause severe injury to you or to repair crews. Connect only essential appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, to generators.

-To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area that is away from air intakes to the home. Never use a portable generator indoors or in attached garages.