TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The city of Troy is preparing for a new season of severe weather following an active year.

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are particularly worse in the month of April. It is due to the clash of warm air from the Gulf and cooler air from the north. Thanks to its position, Alabama is one of the nation’s most tornado-prone states.

That’s why experts are urging Pike County residents to prepare.

Severe weather is no stranger to Alabama. Last year, an EF2 tornado injured three people across Pike County.

LOOKING BACK: Residents describe moment when EF2 tornado passed over their homes

Although there was no significant campus damage, the storm did cause significant roof damage to the Troy Parks and Recreation building, as well as the softball fields at Troy Sportsplex.

Abby Gilliland, a senior at Troy University, has experienced the effects of severe weather firsthand.

“In 2020 a tree actually fell on my house,” Gilliland said. “We were kind of displaced from my house for the whole summer. It took a whole year to get the house re-done.

“It’s really hard. It’s very expensive. The insurance money doesn’t come right away; you have to pay that money out-of-pocket right then and there.”

It’s fear of situations like Gilliland’s that has some people on edge. Herb Reeves, Pike County’s Emergency Management Director, says his group is doing everything it can to keep Pike County safe.

“We’ve passed out weather radios to community members and we are now moving to the RAVE Alert system for severe weather alerts.”

Pike County uses the RAVE Alert system. The site claims users can sign up for alerts using their phone number, email, or a landline to receive emergency notifications.

PIKE COUNTY RAVE ALERT SIGN UP LINK: https://smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action