Blount County Storm Shelters and Emergency Alerts: A Household Planning Guide

Set up local alerts before you need them

The county’s Regroup flyer announced an April 4, 2025 launch to replace Nixle, with weather, emergency and road-closure messages through channels including texts, calls, email and a mobile app. The county continues to identify Regroup on its EMA page.

The Blount County, Alabama alert-enrollment page opens an account-setup process followed by personal information and subscription steps. Complete enrollment directly with the county’s system and confirm your contact preferences. For enrollment help, contact EMA at 205-973-0578.

The National Weather Service recommends checking forecasts, knowing how your community issues warnings and following local news or NOAA Weather Radio. Make sure your household can receive an alert while sleeping and has a plan if a phone or power supply is unavailable.

Eight locations on the county’s shelter list

The county EMA page lists the following community storm shelters. This is a location directory, not a live opening-status report. Confirm opening arrangements, accessibility and pet rules with EMA or the local operator before relying on a location.

Choose a safe place and practice the plan

NWS preparedness guidance recommends a family communication plan, a designated safe place and a practice drill. In a suitable building, that place may be a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.

If you live in a mobile home, identify a nearby sturdy shelter in advance. Plan how and when to reach it before conditions become dangerous, including who will help anyone with mobility needs. Keep the destination and a backup contact available to everyone in the household.

Ask a community shelter operator about opening triggers and the entrance to use. A familiar address is only part of the plan; you also need to know how to gain access and what to do if that location is unavailable.

A watch and a warning call for different actions

Under NWS definitions, a tornado watch means tornadoes are possible and you should be ready to act. A tornado warning means a tornado has been observed or detected by radar and requires immediate protective action. Follow the warning for your location and move to the safest available shelter.

NWS guidance during a tornado says to avoid windows, use a basement, safe room or interior shelter area, and follow the established drill at a school or workplace. A mobile home, shed or tent does not provide safe tornado shelter. Do not wait to see a tornado before responding to a warning, and do not attempt to outrun an approaching tornado in a vehicle.

Keep planning contacts separate from emergency calls

For advance questions, EMA lists ema@blountcountyal.gov and 205-973-0578. For an immediate emergency, call 911. The county EMA page also links a citizen storm-damage reporting tool; that form is not a substitute for requesting emergency help.

Recheck the official pages when severe weather is forecast. This guide is for preparation and does not state that any shelter is open now or that a current warning is in effect. For routine travel arrangements, use our separate public-transportation guide.