Welcome

Montgomery County encompasses 793 square miles and is located in the southcentral part of Alabama. The county includes Montgomery, the state's capital, as well as Pike Road and several unincorporated areas that include Boylston, Chisholm and Southmont.

Alabama's capital city is second only to nearby Birmingham in size, with a population of slightly more than 200,000.

HISTORY
Montgomery was originally the site of two Indian towns, Ikanatchati and Towasa, where ancestors of the Alibamu Indians lived. While Spanish explorers passed through the area in 1540, it was first settled by Scottish trader James McQueen in 1716.

A trading post was established in 1785, and Alabama Town was founded in the 1800s. The town was subsequently abandoned for a new town of East Alabama. Another group of settlers had built a settlement in a town they dubbed Philadelphia, and a rivalry grew between the two towns as both settlements worked to make their towns grow and flourish. In 1819, the towns merged to become Montgomery, Incorporated, in honor of General Richard Montgomery from the Revolutionary War. Alabama was admitted as a state in the Union just 11 days later.

In 1834 the Montgomery Railroad Company was established and a rail route built through the town, linking it to New York City and New Orleans, and bringing the population up to more than 2,000 residents. The state capital was moved to Montgomery from Tuscaloosa in 1846.

With the Civil War came strong anti-Northern sentiment and secession. Alabama was a slave-based economy, and white plantation owners did not want to lose this important part of their socio-economic structure. Representatives of six states gathered in Montgomery, electing it as capital of the Confederate States of America. The capital was eventually moved to Virginia, but dedication to the Confederate cause stayed strong, even after Gen. James Wilson took it back in 1865.

Despite a slow recovery after the Civil War, the town stood at more than 16,000 people by 1880, due in part to the continued railroad expansion. Industrialists began to make their way to the city, further growing the commerce and population. By the 1940s, Montgomery had almost 78,000 residents.

Montgomery was the site of famous civil rights movements such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Ride of 1961 and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Rosa Parks made her famous statement on a bus in Montgomery, and Martin Luther King, Jr. founded the Montgomery Improvement Association there, organizing the Bus Boycott. This led to a ruling that Montgomery's racial segregation on buses was unconstitutional, and the system was abolished. In 1965, King led 25,000 demonstrators on a march from Selma to Montgomery, seeking voting rights for African Americans and leading to the signing of the Voting Rights Act, a major accomplishment for civil rights advocates.

By the late 1990s new construction and the establishment of Maxwell Air Force Base brought even more economic growth. Modern Montgomery enjoys continued growth and development, with a rebuilding of its downtown areas and a new influx of tourists exploring the rich history of the area.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The climate in Alabama tends to be warm and humid. This, along with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, can mean weather patterns that include heavy rains, tornadoes and hurricanes. Alabama has both a spring and a fall tornado season, with the two most common areas of activity being Birmingham and Mobile. Hurricanes landing on the coast commonly produce tornadoes, which make their way across the state. Montgomery sits more inland, reducing the danger somewhat, but it still remains an area that can have turbulent weather systems.

Montgomery winters are short and mild, spring is warm and summers are long, hot and very humid. The average winter temperature is about 46 degrees F, with rare occasions of freezing or snow. Summer temperatures average the low 80s, with highs hitting the 90s. January through March are the wettest months.

STORMS
While more likely at certain times of year, storms can happen at any time. Whether it's a tornado, hurricane or a thunderstorm, preparedness is the key to getting through weather issues relatively unscathed.

A severe thunderstorm can knock out power, bring extreme winds, lightning, flash floods, hail, and turn into a twister in seconds. Pay attention to storm warnings. Remember the rule: "When thunder roars, head indoors." Once inside, avoid electrical appliances, plumbing fixtures and use only a corded telephone in an emergency. Unplug your desktop computer. Do the same with other favorite plugged-in electronics or use surge protectors. The National Weather Service recommends following the 30/30 Rule, which states that people should seek shelter if the "Flash-to-Bang" delay—length of time in seconds from the sight of the lightning flash to the arrival of its subsequent thunder—is 30 seconds or less and remain under cover for 30 minutes after the final thunder clap.

For more safety information, visit the National Weather Service's website at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Preparing for an Approaching Storm
Listen to weather forecasts and plan ahead. Note the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch—it means one could be on the way or that conditions for it are probable—and a severe thunderstorm warning—it's here, take cover. Same with a tornado watch, conditions favor tornado formation, and warning, a funnel cloud has been sighted, find shelter now.

If you lose power, use flashlights. Do not use candles or kerosene lamps. They can create a fatal safety hazard.

Have a battery-powered radio or TV to listen for changes in weather conditions so you know what to do next.

Develop a family emergency plan that includes alternative arrangements should you need to vacate any premises because of a flash flood, for instance. For a tornado warning, you need to know the safest indoor space in your house, most likely a basement, if you have one, or a central room without windows, if you have no basement. Make provisions for special needs of any family member such as the elderly, handicapped, medically affected or infants. If you are dependent on electric-powered medical equipment, seek alternate arrangements in the event that your electric service is interrupted.

Keep the Following Items on Hand
• Fresh batteries
• Portable radio
• Flashlight
• Manual can opener
• Matches
• Battery-operated or wind-up clock
• Nonperishable food (canned and dried food)
• Fuses
• Sterno
• Make a list of emergency phone numbers and keep a personal telephone book and one corded phone on hand (cordless and cell phones may not work)
• Keep a first aid kit in your home and one in your car.

Don't Forget to Include
• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Aspirin
• Eyewash
• Rubbing alcohol and/or hydrogen peroxide
• One gallon of bottled water available for each person in the household for each anticipated day without electric service.
• If your home is served by well water, fill a bathtub with water for sanitation use.
• Keep cash on hand.

Protect Your Food
To protect your food, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food will stay frozen for 36 hours or more in a fully loaded freezer if you keep the door closed. A half-full freezer will generally keep food frozen for 24 hours. Consider freezing containers of water ahead of time. The blocks of ice will help keep your food frozen longer.

During a Summer Power Outage
• Close all drapes and blinds on the sunny side of your home.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take your family and pets to a cool basement location. Or consider going to an air-conditioned public place during warmer daytime hours. However, if weather conditions are at the warning stage, stay where you are.

During a Winter Power Outage
Gather in a central room with an alternate heat source like a fireplace, but be sure to keep a screen around an open flame. And don't close the fireplace damper while the ashes are still hot. In daytime, open drapes and blinds to let in any available sun to warm the space. Close them at night to minimize heat loss. If the indoor temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, open faucets slightly so they constantly drip, thereby preventing pipes from freezing.

Important Heating Safety Tips
• A fuel-burning heater, such as kerosene, requires proper ventilatin to prevent buildup of harmful fumes. Place these heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
• Never leave children or pets alone with a portable heater when it's in use.
• Never use a gas range for room heating.
• Never use charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.

Generators
Follow these simple guidelines for safe use of your home generator:
• Turn off the main circuit breaker to avoid injuring repair crews as they attempt to restore power.
• If you use a generator during an outage, carefully follow the manufacturer's instruction.
• If your generator is to be hooked directly into your home's electrical system, be sure to use a licensed electrician to do the work.

Important Measures To Take for Tornadoes
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/prepared.asp
• Take a few minutes with your family to develop a tornado emergency plan. Sketch a floor plan of where you live, or walk through each room and discuss where and how to seek shelter.
• Show a second way to exit from each room or area. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.
• Make sure everyone understands the siren warning system, if there's such a system in your area.
• Mark where your first aid kit and fire extinguishers are located.
• Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so they can be turned off—if time permits—in an emergency.
• Teach your family how to administer basic first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher and how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home.
• Learn the emergency dismissal policy for your child's school.
• Make sure your children know:
What a tornado is.
What tornado watches and warnings are.
What county they live in (warnings are issued by county).
How to take shelter, whether at home or at school.

Extra Measures for People with Special Needs
• Write down your specific needs, limitations, capabilities and medications. Keep this list near you always, such as in your purse or wallet.
• Find someone nearby (a spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative or co-worker) who will agree to assist you in case of an emergency. Give him or her a copy of your list. You may also want to provide a spare key to your home or directions to find a key.
• Be aware of weather conditions through the formats that best meet your abilities. Some options are closed-captioned or scrolled warnings on TV, radio bulletins or call-in weather information lines.

What To Do About Pets in Severe
Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
• Make an emergency plan to keep pets safe during a tornado. Find a kennel, crate or cage for every animal you have. Buckets work well for fish and turtles. Keep all of the animal carriers together in an easy-to-get-to place inside the house.
• Choose the safest room in the house for surviving a tornado.
• Make an emergency food supply for the pets in case it is in short supply or hard to find after the storm. Get pull tab cans or pouches for easy opening. Pack a collar and leash for each dog or cat as well. Add extra water to the family emergency supply.

When a Tornado Siren Sounds or a Tornado Warning is Issued
• Put all pets in cages or carriers and in the safe room when the tornado watch is issued.
• Get all people to the safe room as soon as a tornado warning is issued or a siren is sounded.
• Stay in the safe room for several minutes after the storm. Large tornadoes have a central eye, so more destruction could be coming. After several minutes of silence, carefully open the safe room door. • Leash all pets when outside after a tornado. Power lines could be down, and dangerous objects will be
littered everywhere.

Tips and Warnings
• Practice the emergency weather plan before bad weather strikes. Get pets used to kenneling or being caged during storms.
• There are only seconds to act before a tornado strikes, so don't wait to put pets in carriers. Do it instantly and get them and your family in the safe room.

HURRICANES
The possibility of hurricanes is a part of life in the south, and Montgomery County is no exception. As with other storms, being prepared is the most important part of staying safe. In order to plan properly, please review the following guidelines:

Advance Preparation:
• Consider flood insurance for any property you purchase.
• Develop an emergency contact plan in case family members are separated during a storm.
• Teach family members how to turn off utility connections such as gas, electric, etc.
• Build an emergency supply kit.
• Prepare your home in advance against damage by putting in storm shutters, verifying electrical panels, outlets, furnace and water heater are above potential flood lines, and making sure entry doors can be secured top and bottom. A contractor can also be consulted for home improvements and preparation.

Hurricane Watch
During a hurricane watch, hurricane conditions are considered a possibility for the area within 24 to 36 hours. This is the time to review your family disaster/contact plan and check your emergency supply kit, as well as securing your home while staying tuned to local media and weather alert channels.

Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning is issued when a hurricane is expected within 24 hours. Begin precautionary measures such as storing valuables in waterproof containers, parking cars in sheltered areas or on high ground, and elevate furniture if time permits.

Evacuation
If you are advised to evacuate your home, follow the instructions of government agencies by using advised travel routes. Leave as early as possible to avoid traffic, flooding roads or fallen trees. Make sure your vehicle has an Alabama map in it, and bring your emergency supply kit with you in your car. The American Red Cross will open designated shelters which will be announced on local radio and television stations.

When It's Over
When you return to your home following a hurricane, consider the following safety precautions:
• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them at once.
• Watch out for snakes, insects and animals that might have gone to higher ground.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate home.
• Take pictures of interior and exterior of home for insurance claims.
• Drive only if necessary.
• Use telephone only for emergency calls.
• Check house for gas leaks.
• Look for electrical system damage, as well as sewage and water line damage.