Together Alabama: Preparing Communities for Extreme Weather

In LaFayette, Alabama, a recent city council meeting underscored the importance of addressing the growing threat of extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations. Fire Chief Jim Doody introduced the CDC Foundation funded "Together Alabama: Preparing Communities for Extreme Weather" program, a transformative initiative designed to protect communities in Alabama and the broader Southeast and Gulf South regions from the escalating dangers of heatwaves caused by the changing weather patterns.

At the core of the program is the People's Justice Council (PJC), an environmental justice organization focused on empowering frontline communities with the knowledge and resources they need to adapt to extreme weather events. This program aims to provide information to the vulnerable community to help them prepare for extreme heat events during the summer months, creating long-term resilience against climate variability.

Details of the Program

The goal of ‘Together Alabama: Preparing Communities for Extreme Weather’ is to improve preparedness for—and resiliency to—heat waves, flooding, and tornadoes. This will be achieved through several in-person workshops where the investigators will interact with the community, learn about their personal experiences of dealing with extreme weather events, and formulate mitigating techniques to cope with the extremes. One of the key components of this program is to donate hydration stations to a few cities in high-risk areas of Alabama. These hydration stations (water tanks) will generate curiosity to know more about the importance of water intake in dire heat situations.

Co-PI Professor Chandana Mitra from Auburn University, who was present at the meeting, highlighted the severity of the heat issue. Mid November 2024, all stations in Alabama and Georgia had seen temperature spikes as high as 14 to 17°F above historical temperature norms for the month, thus making it  more important to communicate with the Alabamians the impact of continuous extreme heat days on their health.

This CDC Foundation funded ‘Together Alabama’ project is a community-centric program led by the Non-Governmental Organization PJC (Mr. Kyle Crider), co-led by Department of Geosciences (Dr. Chandana Mitra), Emergency Management Office in Lafayette City, Chambers County, Alabama (Mr. Jim Doody), Department of Kinesiology (Dr. Joellen Sefton) and media and documentation consultant (Mr. Steven Dixon).

Cooling Stations and Hydration Initiatives

To address the immediate risks posed by extreme heat, the program plans to install cooling and hydration stations in high-risk areas. These stations are designed to provide residents with access to water and shade, offering temporary refuge during heat events. Additionally, the program will also include educational campaigns, teaching the public about heat illness prevention, hydration, and the use of cooling strategies during extreme heat events.

The program's cooling stations will be set up at key community events such as food truck festivals and local sports gatherings, where residents can receive water, health safety information, and learn how these stations work. Alongside this, the PJC will distribute health and safety materials, including QR codes linked to resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), enabling residents to stay informed on heat risks and preparedness strategies.

The 'Together Alabama' Initiative

During the meeting, Mr. Kyle Crider (Co-PI; PJC) and Mitra introduced a range of interactive tools designed to help communities visualize the heat risks in their own environments. Thermal cameras and infrared thermometers were demonstrated to show how different surfaces absorb and retain heat, giving residents a clearer understanding of how to protect themselves and their homes during heatwaves. These tools are part of a broader educational effort to engage the public in proactive heat resilience strategies.

This broader initiative is not just focused on heat resilience but also on addressing the underlying causes of climate vulnerability. The program's efforts are rooted in the principles of ecological restoration, economic elevation, and health enhancement. Workshops will help communities share their personal experiences with extreme weather events, and strategies will be developed to mitigate these impacts. For instance, cooling stations, home weatherization kits and disaster preparedness information will be distributed to local residents, providing them with the tools they need to stay safe during extreme weather events.

The program’s long-term vision is not only about providing immediate relief but also about creating a foundation for lasting resilience. Key to this is community empowerment: working with local leaders, including pastors, school boards, health professionals and athletic directors, to ensure the needs of residents are understood and met. Additionally, the program is committed to addressing issues of equity and inclusion, such as disparities in broadband access, EMS response times and the availability of emergency services.

Reverend Michael Malcolm, executive director of PJC, emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships within the community. The PJC’s work focuses on creating lasting partnerships with houses of faith, community centers and other local organizations, which serve as resilient centers in times of crisis. Programs like "From Resilience to Restoration" program and the "Together Alabama" initiative are pivotal in helping Alabama’s vulnerable communities prepare for, and adapt to, the increasing threat of extreme heat and other climate-related hazards.