HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Some schools and businesses in the Tennessee Valley are closing or changing their schedules on Thursday, March 18, in anticipation of severe weather. Check back often for updates here, on our WZDX News app, or by texting SCHOOLS to (256) 382-2692.
Schools - March 18
Albertville City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Boaz City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Franklin County Schools (AL): 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Guntersville City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Huntsville City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Huntsville Elementary, Middle, and Junior High Schools
- Instruction will begin at 10 a.m.
- Doors open at 9 a.m. for student drop-off.
- Staff members may report to work at 9 a.m.
Huntsville High Schools
- Instruction will begin at 10:30 a.m.
- Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for student drop-off.
- Staff members may report to work at 9:30 a.m.
Jackson County Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Lauderdale County Schools: March 18-19 will remain remote-learning days for all students in all traditional schools.
Lawrence County Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Limestone County Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Madison County Schools: Closed Thursday, March 18.
Marshall County Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18.
Morgan County Schools: Remote learning day, Thursday, March 18
Russellville City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
Scottsboro City Schools: 2-hour delay for Thursday, March 18
YMCA Early Childhood Education Centers will delay opening until 10 a.m. on Thursday March 18.
Affected facilities are:
- YMCA Downtown Early Childhood Education Center
- YMCA Northwest Early Childhood Education Center
- YMCA Southeast Early Childhood Education Center
YMCA Membership Branches are unaffected and will operate normal hours on Thursday.
Schools - March 17
Alabama A&M University: Classes will resume via remote instruction. Essential personnel should report as normal and non-essential personnel should conduct business via telework on March 17.
Albertville City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Boaz City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Calhoun Community College: The physical campus of Calhoun Community College will be closed Wednesday March 17, 2021. Faculty, staff, and students will switch to remote work and virtual learning.
Cullman County Schools: Virtual Learning Day. Campuses are closed.
Drake State Community and Technical College: Campus will be closed on March 17. Students are expected to attend class remotely.
Florence City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Franklin County Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Guntersville City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Hartselle City Schools: Virtual Learning Day on Wednesday, March 17th. All school buildings will be closed. The storm shelter at Hartselle High School will be open in the event of a Tornado Warning. Please enter at the back of the building. You must wear a face mask.
Huntsville City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Remote teaching and learning will not occur. Students and employees (unless otherwise directed by their supervisor) should not report to campuses.
University of Alabama in Huntsville: Virtual/remote delivery for all courses on March 17, 2021.
Jackson County Schools: March 17th will be an e-Learning Day for all students.
Lauderdale County Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Limestone County School: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Marshall County Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Madison County Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Muscle Shoals City Schools: Closed on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Russellville City Schools: Closed Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Sheffield City Schools: Sheffield City Schools will be virtual on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. All faculty, staff, and students will work remotely from home.
Snead State: Closes at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
YMCA: YMCA facilities will be closed on March 17, 2021, including the following:
- Hogan Family YMCA
- Southeast Family YMCA
- Downtown Express YMCA
- YMCA Downtown Early Childhood Education Center
- YMCA Southeast Early Childhood Education Center
- YMCA Northwest Early Childhood Education Center
- Heart of the Valley YMCA Association Office
Drivers License offices
:
The following ALEA Driver License Offices closed at noon today due to inclement weather:
- Redstone Arsenal Office in Madison County
- Jasper Office located in the Walker County Courthouse
- Scottsboro Office located in the Jackson County Courthouse
- Pell City Office located in the St. Clair County Courthouse
- Bessemer Office located in the Jefferson County Courthouse
- Selma Office located in the Dallas County Courthouse
- Hayneville Office in Lowndes County
- Talladega Office located in the Talladega County Courthouse
- Butler Office located in the Choctaw County Courthouse (Closing at 12:30 p.m.)
- Carrollton Office located in the Pickens County Courthouse
The following Driver License Offices will delay opening until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, due to inclement weather:
- Pell City Office located in the St. Clair County Courthouse
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Huntsville Hospital: Huntsville Hospital’s Community Vaccination Clinic in John Hunt Park will close at 12 NOON on Wednesday, March 17. All persons scheduled for vaccination on Wednesday afternoon may come ANYTIME on Thursday, March 18, or Friday, March 19. No appointment or phone call will be needed.
Limestone County: Limestone County Health Department will be closed on Wednesday, March 17. WZDX is waiting to hear how COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be handled.
Businesses/Services
Decatur Municipal Court: Docket postponed to a later date.
Jackson County Courthouse: Closing March 17th, 2021 at 12:00
EarlyWorks Children's Museum: Closed March 17, 2021.
Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center: Closed March 17, 2021.
Madison County Courthouse and Service Center: Closed at 2 p.m. on March 17, 2021
RELATED: Emergency shelters in North Alabama
The American Meteorological Society released its list of recommendations for using community storm shelters during severe weather while COVID-19 is still a concern. The recommendation are also available en espanol.
Do not let the virus prevent you from seeking refuge from a tornado. If a public tornado shelter is your best available refuge from severe weather, take steps to ensure you follow CDC guidelines for physical distancing and disease prevention.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped nearly all aspects of everyday life as the world implements unprecedented strategies to reduce transmission of the virus. While communities continue to respond to the virus, the public must now identify how their severe weather refuges will be affected by the pandemic.
The guidelines below are recommended by the American Meteorological Society for use by the media, emergency managers, weather forecasters, and the general public as they prepare for severe weather threats during a pandemic.
Make your severe weather plan now and identify the best storm refuge available. Determine if your home can provide you with a good location to take refuge, such as a basement or an interior, windowless room. If you cannot take refuge in your home, discuss sheltering with neighbors, friends, or family. If your community has shelters, verify now which will be open and operating during the pandemic.
If you rely on public shelters, like schools, stores, or community facilities, determine if that shelter will be available during the COVID-19 pandemic. This information can be found through websites and official social media accounts or by contacting your local emergency management agency.
The American Meteorological Society recommends that you use multiple trusted sources to monitor the threat of approaching severe weather and be prepared to take refuge at home when a tornado warning is issued. If you need to travel to seek shelter, and the shelter you travel to is open, make sure that you complete your travel before a tornado warning is issued for your area.
It is recommended that you follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 transmission prevention, including physical distancing, and any additional guidelines set by your local emergency management agency.