Your Birmingham summer survival guide—storm safety, extreme heat + energy saving tips

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Summer in Birmingham is no joke. Between sweltering temperatures and surprise thunderstorms, staying safe (and cool) is a full-time job.

With help from Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), we’ve rounded up must-know tips to help you beat the heat, prepare for severe weather and save energy during these intense summer months.

Know the risks + stay safe

When the heat index climbs into the triple digits, it’s more than uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can set in quickly, especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers and pets.

According to Jefferson County EMA, our biggest summer weather risks include extreme heat, severe thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Tips from the EMA:

• Hydrate—and keep drinking water even if you’re not thirsty.
• Avoid the outdoors between 10AM–4PM, the hottest part of the day.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes if you have to be outside.
• Stay cool indoors. If you don’t have A/C at home, head to a public place like a library, mall or designated cooling center (when open).
• Never leave children or pets in cars. Even for a few minutes.

“Community care is a key part of emergency preparedness, so check in on your neighbors!

A simple phone call or knock on the door can go a long way. Make sure elderly neighbors, those with medical needs, and families without reliable transportation or air conditioning are safe, cool and informed. Offer to help them set up weather alerts, bring cold water or share information about cooling centers.”

Baylee Pope, Emergency Management Officer, Jefferson County EMA

Sudden storms + summer severe weather

Summer storms in Alabama can roll in fast, with damaging winds, lightning and heavy rainfall that can cause flash flooding. Jefferson County EMA emphasizes the importance of being weather-aware, especially since these events can happen with little warning.

Best practices:

• Don’t rely only on outdoor sirens—sign up for alerts and use weather apps.
• Know your safe place for tornadoes: basement, storm shelter, or interior room away from windows.
• Never drive through floodwaters. Just a few inches of water can sweep your car away.

“The one piece of advice we hope every Jefferson County resident follows during the summer is to stay weather aware and stay connected. Summer weather can change quickly, so getting accurate information fast can make all the difference. And don’t keep it to yourself—share alerts with friends, family and neighbors who might not see them right away.

Most importantly, remember: when thunder roars, go indoors!”

Baylee Pope, Emergency Management Officer, Jefferson County EMA

High power bills? Here’s what you need to know:

Between running the A/C all day and staying plugged in at home, summer power bills can skyrocket. A few small changes can make a big difference.

Energy-saving tips from EMA:

• Keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air more efficiently.
• Raise your thermostat a few degrees when you’re away.
• Avoid using ovens or dryers mid-day, and seal windows and doors to keep the cool in.

Bonus tip: Ask your energy provider about budget billing or energy audits. These can help you manage costs and find areas for improvement.

Stay informed this summer + year-round

Summer is a great time to enjoy everything Birmingham has to offer, but it’s also an important time to stay weather-aware.

Before you head out for summer fun in The Magic City, review these tips—and check out our July event guide for what’s happening around town.

Sign up for JeffCoALert to get emergency notifications straight to your phone + follow Jefferson County EMA on social media for real-time tips and updates via Facebook + Instagram.

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