LIMESTONE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
By Jack Madison – bio | email
As Alabama Severe Weather Awareness week begins, Alabama Emergency Management officials say all valley counties have upgraded communication and safety skills.
Limestone County has five new satellite telephones to give them a total of six. Since the April 27th tornado outbreak, more community shelters have been put into place, and FEMA money has been made available to reimburse some costs for homeowners who build their own storm shelters. Limestone County has also joined other areas in asking people with their own shelters to register their locations with emergency management. The most active tornado period in Alabama is historically March, April and May.
For those who took a direct hit in April, they don't need to be reminded to be aware. Tanner resident Janie Clem recalled how she and her husband, Larry, rode out the storm in their home on Rosie Road.
"When we were in the hall and the house was flying around us, Of course you think, 'This is it. This might be my time," she said.
The tornado destroyed their home. They have since rebuild the house, and started moving back in two weeks ago.
"It's taken us probably five months to rebuild the house. The first thing we built was a storm shelter under our garage," Janie said.
The Clems say what happened on April 27th has made them more aware and prepared.
"I will never ignore the tornado siren again. Very often it was a nuisance. But I've never been afraid of storms. But I will now. I will go into the storm shelter as soon as I hear the warning. I'll never take it for granted again," Janie said.
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