MONTGOMERY, Ala. — What to Know:
- A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the entire Tennessee Valley. This Winter Storm Warning and the Winter Weather Advisory will run from 12:00 AM Monday through 6:00 AM Tuesday.
- Redstone Arsenal and the Space & Rocket Center will be closed Monday.
- School districts, many of which were already closed Monday for the holiday weekend, will make decisions about operations Tuesday and Wednesday.
With the National Weather Service officials expecting portions of the state to be 'severely' affected by ice, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, Gov. Kay Ivey instituted a state of emergency Sunday afternoon.
"We are anticipating unusually cold temperatures in Alabama this week, so I am urging everyone to be prepared, take caution traveling and stay weather aware," the governor said in a written statement.
BE PREPARED: Protect people, pets, pipes & plants | Local preparations | Check flights
Affected counties include Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
Ivey directed the Alabama National Guard to be on alert and prepare for activation to respond to the event. State agencies including the Alabama Emergency Management Agency have also been authorized to exercise their resources to assist affected counties and areas.
State government office closings have also been authorized, and area school districts may be closed at local leadership discretion. Redstone Arsenal announced it will be closed on Monday. Click here for closings in the FOX54 viewing area as they are announced.
The offices of the governor and the attorney general also wish to warn residents in the affected areas to be on the alert for price gouging during the emergency period. If you suspect the practice to be happening in your neighborhood, you are urged to report it - call 1-800-392-5658 or visit this website.