FROM STAFF REPORTS

All public school systems that serve Shelby County residents have announced they will close schools on Tuesday, Jan. 29, due to the threat of inclement weather.

Shelby County Schools, Alabaster City Schools, Hoover City Schools and Pelham City Schools all announced their schools would be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Administrative offices will also be closed, and after-school activities have been canceled, the school systems announced.

The school systems also announced that officials would continue to monitor the weather and make a decision on the status of schools for Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Check ShelbyCountyReporter.com for updates about potential school closures or delayed start times for Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a State of Emergency effective at 3 p.m. Monday for all Alabama counties in preparation for potential winter weather.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory for a large portion of Alabama in anticipation of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.

By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Center in Clanton and the Alabama National Guard to assist with emergency transportation needs. Ivey is also directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist communities and entities affected by the winter storm.

“This winter storm has the potential to affect a large portion of our state. Citizens in the northern half of the state should be especially mindful of the changing weather conditions,” Ivey said. “Travel conditions could be negatively impacted Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Please avoid travel if possible and be very careful if you do have to get out on the roadways.”

Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution while driving, check road conditions before departing, allow for increased travel times, and adjust arrival and departure times accordingly. Motorists are also urged to limit travel to emergency travel only. As always, keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with a blanket, a few bottles of water, snacks, phone charger and a first aid kit.

“Now is a good time to prepare for the inclement conditions winter weather may bring in the coming days,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said. “Although the storm is fast-moving with short but heavy bursts of snow fall, it is the freezing temperatures after the front passage and especially at night that will create dangerous driving conditions where residual water on roadways freezes.”

For real-time road conditions, the Alabama Department of Transportation encourages individuals to visit Algotraffic.com.

You can text “ALALERT” to 888777 to receive information for winter weather affects from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

Suggestions on how to prepare for winter can be found at EMA.alabama.gov and on Twitter by following @AlabamaEMA. Preparedness information can also be found at Ready.gov or by following Ready Alabama on Twitter at @readyalabama.