Vehicles follow a snowplow on Highway 50 during a snowstorm in Mardela Springs, Md., in January 2022. Gov. Kay Ivey issues state of emergency because of impending cold weather expected for the state. (Julio Cortez/The Associated Press)
Gov. Kay Ivey Thursday declared a state of emergency in 37 of the state’s 67 counties ahead of the winter weather forecast for later this week.
The state of emergency covers most of the northern half of Alabama and includes Madison County, home of Huntsville; Jefferson County, home of Birmingham and countries across the state, from Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties in the west to Macon and Lee counties in the east.
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“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 said in the statement. “As we all know, winter weather is challenging in a state like Alabama due to forecast uncertainties.”
She encouraged residents to begin preparing for the change and to avoid driving on the roads unless necessary, for the areas that are affected.
“Keep an eye on your local forecasts and stay weather aware,” Ivey also said in the statement.