Winter weather warning closes schools

As of 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28, all Franklin County Schools are scheduled to close Jan. 29 due to inclement weather.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for 12 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesday. According to NWS, there is a chance of snow late Monday night and into Tuesday morning, and as of 3 p.m. Jan. 28 they are estimating between one to two and a half inches of snow.

Potentially extremely cold temperatures are amplifying the safety risks, especially for road travel, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

ALDOT has already started pre-treating highways and interstates, but they are encouraging the public to check with local agencies on the conditions of county and local roadways. ALGOtraffic.com is one way to check road conditions as well as keeping up with local news media.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is encouraging “all motorists who must drive to use extreme caution and to expect roadways to be icy.”

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is reminding Alabamians that one of the most important preparedness steps that can be taken is to put together an emergency preparedness kit with a three-day supply of food, water and other critical supplies. In addition, putting together a preparedness kit for vehicles that includes a car charger, ice scraper, jumper cables and blankets.

Gov. Kay Ivey issued a State of Emergency effective at 3 p.m. Jan. 28 for all Alabama counties.

“This winter storm has the potential to affect a large portion of our state. Citizens in the northern half of the state should be especially mindful of the changing weather conditions,” Governor Ivey said. “Travel conditions could be negatively impacted Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Please avoid travel if possible and be very careful if you do have to get out on the roadways.”

ALEA is also reminding people to report traffic crashes or other emergencies by calling 911, remain alert for emergency vehicles and remembering to obey Alabama’s “move over” law, keep vehicles in good operating condition, adapt speeds to existing roadway conditions, turn on headlights and windshield wipers and pay attention to bridges and overpasses that have a tendency to develop “black ice.”