SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Governor Robert Bentley issued a State of Emergency on Thursday effective at 7:00 Friday morning for all of Alabama in preparation for potential severe winter weather.
“In Alabama, winter weather is hard to predict, three or four degrees can be the difference between cold rain, sleet, snow or ice,” said Art Faulkner, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director. “I cannot stress enough the need for people to check their winter weather emergency supply kit, have a plan of action if conditions diminish as well as having a reliable method to receive the latest weather updates.”
“It should begin by early Friday morning with the potential for a sleet, snow and freezing rain mix,” said 98.3 WFXO Meteorologist Dan Holiday. “As the colder air continues to move in, sleet and snow will be more likely with the possibility of 2-3” by late Friday night.”
Holiday said the roads will be slick and snow-packed on Friday night as the temperature will drop into the low 20’s.
The City of Sylacauga is currently preparing for the weather as well as the potential for roads to be covered in sheets of ice.
“We’re taking every effort we can to protect our citizens,” said Mayor Jim Heigl. “We want to be able to protect them in any way we can.”
Heigl said he met with emergency officials Thursday morning to go over the City’s emergency management plan.
According to Heigl, there is a possibility of road closures but many roads and overpasses will be sanded to keep them from freezing.
Throughout the winter weather, First Baptist Church will serve as shelter for people who have do not have heat or are in need of shelter. Heigl said police will be on standby to help in any way possible and the City is equipped with two Humvees that will be used to transport people if necessary.
“We are requesting that if you do not have to get out, please stay at home,” stated Heigl. “Unless it’s an emergency, we would appreciate it if you just stayed in.”
Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.