City and county road crews are prepared as possible for sleet, ice or snow, officials said Thursday.
As sleet was falling and schools and colleges were closing early Thursday in Athens and Limestone County, Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee told The News Courier county maintenance trucks have motor-graders and spreaders to disperse sand on bridges and hills to try to prevent motorists from sliding.
“That is needed more in western Limestone County, where there are hills and low-lying areas that freeze,” he said.
Menefee said he had talked to county workers early Thursday and was told they were as prepared as possible be for ice or snow.
Meanwhile, in the city of Athens, Public Works Director James Rich said the city has two sand trucks and a motor-grader as well as escort vehicles for the spreaders.
“These trucks are loaded and ready to go, and we are monitoring streets to see if they need to be sanded before dark,” Rich said. “If it become slick after they are sanded, we will be out to keep them safe.”
He said workers would monitor the roads about every hour to determine when to lay down sand.
“We have to put it on in the right sequence,” he said. “We don’t want to put it down if it is raining because it will wash away.”
Cities and counties in the South typically use sand to combat ice. They usually do not buy snowplows because they are not commonly needed.
Rich told City Council members Monday that city workers also sand entrances to the police and fire stations and hospital.
Rich reminded motorists to stay home if roads are icing, noting that emergency workers will be using the roads and that four workers with the Alabama Department of Transportation were injured Wednesday morning when a semi-trailer truck struck them.
Elsewhere in North Alabama on Thursday afternoon, snow was accumulating in Tuscaloosa and snowfall was evident in Huntsville and Florence.
As of 1 p.m. Thursday, snow was falling in counties surrounding Limestone County but not in Limestone. Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said at 1 p.m. Thursday police had, so far, not received any reports of weather-related wrecks. Slippery roads contributed to an accident at the intersection of U.S. 72 and East Limestone Road about 9 a.m. Thursday. Injuries were reported but state troopers had not yet filed their reports at press time due to back-to-back accidents Thursday.
Local News
City, county crews ready to spread sand for safety
- Local News
-
- UPDATE: Fewer than 400 still without power in Limestone
-
BREAKING: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED
The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING for Limestone County in effect until 2 p.m.
-
UNA to implement fee for dual enrollment program
School officials recently approved instituting a $100 per course fee for high school students working to earn college credits.
-
School board member Hunter considers run for governor
Mary Scott Hunter represents Limestone County on the state Board of Education.
-
Parade of Homes to be held two weekends only
Athens-Limestone Home Builders Association Vice President Terrell Carden of Carden Home Builders said the group has a “pretty wide range” of styles and prices to offer passersby.
-
UPDATE: Woodroof sentences Athens man to life in prison
Coffman had four prior convictions for robbery and burglary in 2006 and 2010, which made him a habitual offender under the law, the district attorney said.
-
Former soldier joins Limestone sheriff race
Redd, who believes in term limits, said he would run as a "constitutional sheriff," focusing on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments.
-
Flag Day celebration held at ASU
-
Man formally charged after 2012 DUI, fatal crash
Timothy Alan Hall, 29, of 1833 Woodmont St., was recently indicted by a Limestone County grand jury on charges of reckless murder, driving under the influence and driving the wrong way, records show.
- School board member Hunter eyes run for governor
- More Local News Headlines
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
