Montgomery, Ala.(WDNews) – Governor Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for 37 Alabama counties in anticipation of this week’s winter weather. While Houston County and the surrounding Wiregrass area are not included in the affected regions, officials urge residents to remain cautious if traveling to areas within the emergency zone.
The state of emergency will take effect at 1 p.m. today and will remain active until further notice or until terminated by the governor. By law, a state of emergency in Alabama can last up to 60 days unless officially lifted sooner.
Governor Ivey emphasized the unpredictability of winter weather in the state and urged residents to stay informed and prepared.
“Cold temperatures have persisted in Alabama this week, and we are anticipating the potential for winter weather to impact our state, particularly our driving conditions,” Ivey stated. “As we all know, winter weather is challenging in a state like Alabama due to forecast uncertainties. That being said, I encourage Alabamians to make any needed preparations today, and if you are in an impacted area and do not have to be on the road, try to avoid it. Keep an eye on your local forecasts and stay weather aware.”
The affected counties include Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
Residents in those areas are advised to monitor weather updates and avoid unnecessary travel.
