Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. The time to prepare for a hurricane is before a storm starts to form. Find important information about building a kit, making a plan, staying informed, and other resources below.
Build a Kit
Build a disaster kit in preparation of hurricane season. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies for during and after the storm. A basic disaster supplies kit should include items like water, food, a radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, cell phone chargers, a whistle, prescription and non-prescription medications, eyeglasses and contacts, pet food, and important family documents. For a full list, visit ready.gov/kit.
The Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday of the last full weekend in February and ends at midnight on the following Sunday.
Click the images below to enlarge them.
Make a Plan
Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Write down on paper a list of emergency contacts, and make sure to include utilities and other critical services — remember, the internet may not be accessible during or after a storm. Click here to learn more about making a plan.
Hurricanes and storm surges are serious threats to the Gulf Coast, and when a storm intensifies, evacuating vulnerable areas may be crucial. Click here to find your evacuation zone. Please note that the City of Mobile does not have the authority to issue an evacuation order. However, the City of Mobile will share information regarding evacuation orders from the State of Alabama.
Discuss your plan of action during a hurricane ahead of time to decide what route you will take during an evacuation and where you will travel to take shelter from the storm. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well built home outside flood prone areas. Plan several routes. Be sure to account for your pets.
Be Informed
Tune in to official channels of communication. Public notices and weather updates will be communicated through local media, official EMA, County, and City social media, www.mcema.net, and the MCEMA app. Get your weather information from reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Services and local TV meteorologists.
City of Mobile, Alabama
facebook.com/cityofmobile
instagram.com/cityofmobileal
Mobile County, Alabama
facebook.com/MobileCountyAL
instagram.com/mobilecountyal
mobilecountyal.gov
Mobile County EMA
facebook.com/MobileCountyEMA
instagram.com/mobilecountyema
mobilecountyema.gov
National Weather Service Mobile
facebook.com/NWSMobile
instagram.com/nwsmobile
weather.gov/mob
NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
facebook.com/NWSNHC
instagram.com/nwsnhc_hurricanes
nhc.noaa.gov
Mobile Police Department
facebook.com/themobilepolice
Mobile Fire-Rescue
facebook.com/MobileFireRescue
instagram.com/mobile_fire_rescue
Make sure that you have multiple ways to receive updates! Sign up to receive weather alerts via text, email, or trusted weather apps. To receive local alerts via text from Mobile County EMA, text “MOBILEALERT” to 226787. To recieve local alerts via text from the City of Mobile, text "MOBILEEMERGENCY" to 91896. Download the MCEMA app, available on the Apple Store or Google Play.
Keeping a battery-powered radio and/or a NOAA weather radio is also highly encouraged. The National Weather Radio Station for Mobile is KEC61 at frequency 162.550.
Other Resources
Alabama Power
Outages and Storm Center
Find out all the way we serve you
Reach Alabama Power’s Residential Customer Service Call Center for outages and emergencies at 1-800-888-2726 or text "OUT" to APCOUT to report an outage.
Set up Outage Alerts in your online account or text "ENROLL" to 272688.
Mobile 311
To request non-emergency support from the City and report road obstructions, submit a 311 request.
Mobile Police Department
To report a non-emergency to MPD, call 251-208-7211.
Mobile Area Water & Sewege System (MAWSS)
For 24/7 emergency service, call 251-694-3165.
Spire Gas
If you’re experiencing a gas-related emergency, please dial 911.
For customer service, call 800-292-4008.
Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
Road status map and other resources
Mobile County Public Schools
To contact student services, call 251-221-4245.
facebook.com/MobileCountyPublicSchools
instagram.com/mobilecountypublicschools