The Etowah County Emergency Management Agency helped residents prepare for severe weather Wednesday by programming weather alert radios at Walmart from 2 to 7 p.m.
By 4 p.m., more than 100 radios had been programmed, according to EMA Public Information Officer Patrick Huselton.
“Our primary severe weather season, of course, is in the spring,” Huselton said. “But our secondary one is in the fall. Here lately, over the last few years, we’ve been seeing a lot of severe weather in November and December, which is really strange.”
The event also gave EMA staff an opportunity to connect with residents and explain the agency’s role in the community.
“We are an information-sharing notification agency,” said EMA Deputy Director Keshawn Long. “We provide resources and work with other agencies, nonprofit and private organizations to find resources for the community and citizens of Etowah County. We want to connect with the community and let people know we are here for them.”
The WBRC First Alert Weather team also joined EMA at the event, promoting its First Alert Weather app and talking with residents about the importance of being prepared for severe weather.
As fall approaches, EMA officials are encouraging residents to stay informed and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
