Hale County Preparing for Worst

The last several years Hale County has been among the most targeted counties in the state by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. There have already been tornado touchdowns and damage this year.

The bullseye on the county over the years has prompted the Hale County Emergency Management Agency and area first responders to conduct realistic annual training exercises to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Thursday, a massive exercise with more than 600 volunteers from 16 counties will participate in a realistic exercise in downtown Greensboro. 400 of the participants will be victims and the remainder police, fire, rescue, emergency management and medical personnel.

"It is like a sports team," says Hale County EMA Director Russell Weeden. "You play like you practice. A disaster response is complicated and labor intensive. It requires great coordination and communication. That is why exercises are so important, to get everyone working together. Exercise like this is good for team building."

The exercise will be preceded by a briefing and dinner served by the Catfish Navy.  The drill scenario will get underway at 7:00pm. Play will continue until 9:00pm when participants will assemble at Greensboro Baptist Church for a debriefing.

The exercise is scheduled as the Storm Prediction Center has forecast severe weather potential across West Alabama from Thursday evening through Sunday morning.

There is a Moderate (1 in 5) Risk for Thursday, a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for Friday and an Elevated (3 in 5) Risk for Saturday.

"This is why we conduct training and exercises, you never know how the area will be impacted when severe weather is possible. It is our job to be prepared." Weeden added.

Weeden also encouraged residents in Hale and surrounding counties to review severe weather safety. "If people know what to do and where to go it makes our job easier."