Metro area officials taking proactive approach to weather as state of emergency issued

HUNTSVILLE – Officials with Huntsville, Madison and Madison County are in active coordination as north Alabama prepares for a winter storm on Friday.

Preparations are continuing to help minimize the impact on roads with the expected snow and ice, though driving conditions are anticipated to be treacherous.

A winter storm warning goes into effect at midnight Thursday for north Alabama, including Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties. Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for much of the state, including the Huntsville metro area.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Madison County Commissioner Mac McCutcheon addressed the storm at a Thursday morning news conference.

“We want to assure everyone that we are working closely with local, regional and state officials to ensure that we have a proactive response,” Battle said. “We have been monitoring this weather event closely. We are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.”

McCutcheon said the officials are working hand in hand.

“This is a partnership and we are all working together,” McCutcheon said. “City and county governments are working with the resources that we have in a coordinated effort.”

Residents should take steps to be ready to remain at home if the weather creates lingering road issues.

“The most important message we want to convey is the need for personal preparation,” Battle said. “You can still go to the grocery store today, get the food, gas and prescriptions you need and have a plan in place so you can ride out this winter weather event over the next 72 hours.”

As local governments have prepared for the weather, individuals should do the same in case the weather causes lingering issues on roads.

“Ask yourself, ‘Do I need to get out of this house?'” Finley said. “Is it a want or a need? If we stick with the needs, we’ll be in much better position to take care of those who truly need help and this community is stepping up and doing that.”

Roads

• Huntsville is staging snowplows and motor graders throughout the city, particularly in areas with steep grades and near hospitals. The city has recently retrofitted 10 of its 1-ton trucks with plows, resulting in a total of 15 one-ton trucks with plows. Huntsville also has 20 half-ton trucks with bumper-mounted plows as well as motor graders.
• The Huntsville Police Department is positioning barricades in areas where roads may need to be closed, such as bridges and overpasses. HPD Chief Kirk Giles stressed that bypassing barricades is illegal and traffic accidents that occur on closed roads will not be worked by HPD.
• The  has treated federal and state roads in advance of the storm. In Huntsville, ALDOT is responsible for Interstate 565, Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231), Governors Drive (U.S. 431), Research Park Boulevard (Alabama 255), Alabama 53 and U.S. 72 (University Drive).
• Madison County commissioners have treated rural roads beyond the city limits of Huntsville and Madison.
• The city of Madison and Madison County will have heavy equipment in place to help clear major roads.

Warming Centers

Warming shelters are open for anyone who needs temporary shelter from the elements. The Community Warming Center at The Livin’ Room has extended its hours to Sunday at 9 a.m.

• Community Warming Center – The Livin’ Room (2820 Governors Drive): Call 256-427-5400 or email [email protected].
• First Stop (206 Stokes St.): Open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 256-533-3391.
• Downtown Rescue Mission (1400 Evangel Drive): Open 24/7. Call 256-536-2441.
• Salvation Army (305 Seminole Drive): Open Monday-Sunday, 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Call 256-536-9147.

If the city is open, Huntsville Transit will provide transportation to warming centers. If the city is closed, those needing a ride should call the Huntsville Police Department’s non-emergency number at 256-722-7100.