HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — UPDATE (1/14) -- After updated forecasts released Sunday, a statement from City of Huntsville officials reads as follows:
"The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is pretreating major roadways. The City of Huntsville Public Works Department has mobilized and is working with Huntsville Police to prepare to treat roads in higher elevations and to monitor for icy conditions. Madison County is also treating roadways in anticipation of snow and ice.
“The forecast is for 1-6 inches of snow, and we are monitoring the developing situation closely,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “There may be several roadways that close overnight, and these areas will be barricaded, making it difficult to travel. We ask all our residents to remain weather aware and take precautions for extreme cold.”
"Huntsville police remind motorists not to circumvent barricades on closed sections of roadways."
Our original reporting continues below.
As the cold temperatures of the winter season approach, the City of Huntsville is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. With temperatures expected to plunge into the teens on Monday and Tuesday nights, the city is not only preparing for potential snow flurries but also taking steps to address the impact on roads and provide shelter for those in need.
The National Weather Service has said that there is a possibility of snow flurries starting Sunday night and continuing into Tuesday. Despite this, the City of Huntsville is closely monitoring road conditions, with Public Works ready to deploy crews and dry materials in case of reported black ice.
“At this point, we aren’t anticipating perception and hoping roads will be clear, but we’ll be monitoring the weather and roads with Huntsville Police and will be prepared to respond,” Chris McNeese, director of Public Works said.
As of January 12, the Director of Parks & Recreation, James Gossett, has assured us that there are no changes planned for City recreation center schedules due to the freezing weather. However, adjustments may be made if road conditions become worse due to snow and ice.
For people seeking shelter from the cold temperatures, three warming centers will be available. The Downtown Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, and The Livin’ Room will provide shelter at the following locations below.
- Location: 1400 Evangel Drive NW
- Open 24/7
- Location: 305 Seminole Drive
- Day Shelter: From January 15 – 17 between 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Overnight Shelter: Available January 15 – 21 between 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
- Location: 2820 Governors Drive
- Open from January 15 at 4 p.m. until January 17
Huntsville police will offer transportation to the warming centers on January 15, and public transit will be available for the rest of the week.
Virgie Graham, Animal Services Chief for the City, also mentions the importance of bringing pets indoors during the cold weather. If that is not possible, Graham suggests bringing them inside for short periods to warm up and reminds pet owners to check on their outdoor pets, ensuring they have unfrozen water and providing fresh food to keep them safe.