County braces for winter weather

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County, along with most of the Southeast, is bracing for a long cold snap and possibly winter precipitation this week.
Franklin County EMA Director Roy Gober said that as of Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service is predicting that North Alabama, including Franklin County, could see one to three inches of winter precipitation including freezing rain, sleet and snow.
Gober said his department will have a better idea of what to expect by noon today, and will proceed with winter weather preparations.
Gober stresses that everyone should stay off the road unless it’s absolutely necessary if precipitation does begin to stick to area roadways.
As for the school systems, Franklin County Superintendent Gary Williams said his office will make a decision about what to do on Thursday when the information becomes available.
Williams said parents, teachers, and students will be notified at school Wednesday as soon as a decision is reached and the information will be sent through the school’s new school cast system, which allows the announcements to be sent to all the county schools and to parents.
Probate Judge Barry Moore said no decision has been made about courthouse hours for Thursday as of Tuesday afternoon because of the uncertainty of what lies ahead for the county.
With the highs expected to be below freezing over the next several days, the ice, sleet and snow could stay around for several days and preparations should be made for outdoor pets, and elderly residents in the county.
Gober said the American Red Cross activates shelters in our area as needed, but it will be there call whether to offer shelters for residents in need of a warm place to stay.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers the following tips in order to prepare for winter weather and extremely cold winter conditions:
Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:
Prepare your home and family
Continue to check www.fct.wpengine.com throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday if closings become necessary.