Marla Jones, Managing Editor
DeKalb and Jackson Co., Ala-- Dekalb and Jackson Counties are bracing for the arctic weather that is forecasted to enter the region over the Christmas holidays.
Extremely cold Arctic air will move into North Alabama beginning Thursday night. The rain that is ahead of the Arctic front may transition to snow. Light snow accumulations of up to a half inch are possible. Isolated areas in higher elevations may see up to one inch of snow. Black ice is a concern on Friday as moisture on roads may freeze.
On Tuesday, December 20, DeKalb County Commission President, Ricky Harcrow along with members of the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (EMA) held a press conference. The conference was held to discuss the threats to life and property, and possible impacts from the forecasted winter weather extremes on Thursday night and extending through the Christmas holidays.
Commission President Harcrow announced that all county buildings and all administrative offices would be closed on Thursday, December 22 through December 26, due to the possibility winter weather.
Warming centers will be open across DeKalb County during this winter event. If you need information regarding the nearest warming center to you, call the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency at (256) 845-8569.
“If you need help in the rural areas where this will take place, too, then you call this office,” DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow said. “We are here to help you, and our people are ready to do whatever needs to be done.
Marked For Life Ministries has partnered up with the City of Fort Payne and the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency to provide a warming station for those in need.
The emergency warming station will be available beginning Friday afternoon and will offer food and warmth to anyone who needs it.
Logan LeGrande, Executive Director of Marked For Life Ministries said they are happy to help out their neighbors during this time of need
‘We want people to know that we are here for them” said LeGrande. “No one should have to suffer through this cold weather alone, especially on a holiday weekend”.
To receive information, neighbors in need of shelter should contact the Marked For Life Ministries crisis line, at 888.789.4673.
Marked For Life is requesting the community to step up, as volunteers are greatly needed to staff the warming station.
“The biggest issue will be wind and possibility of trees getting into lines. Another concern is use of portable space heaters and overload of circuits” stated Fort Payne Improvement Authority General Manager, Mike Shirey.
“Fortunately due to Holiday many of the large industrial customers will be operating at significantly reduced loads, so we should have plenty of capacity. That being said there will still be possibility of isolated outages and crews will work to restore ASAP”.
