Dothan, Ala.— Governor Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for 39 Alabama counties as the state braces for another round of winter weather expected to impact the southern regions this week.
The declaration was made in response to forecasts predicting cold temperatures and hazardous winter conditions. Governor Ivey’s decision comes as the southern part of Alabama prepares for potentially dangerous driving conditions, as icy roads and freezing temperatures are expected to affect much of the area.
In a statement, Governor Ivey urged Alabamians to take necessary precautions. “Alabama, once again, is faced with the potential for winter weather, but this time, for the southern half of the state,” she said. “We are anticipating potentially dangerous and uncertain driving conditions in the impacted portions of the state, so I am urging Alabamians to err on the side of caution and limit their travel. Make any necessary preparations now, stay tuned in to your weather forecasts and stay warm.”
The counties included in the state of emergency range from Autauga and Baldwin to Wilcox and Washington. A full list of the affected counties includes: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Washington, and Wilcox.
The state of emergency went into effect at 5 p.m. on January 20, 2025, and will remain in place for the duration of the weather event. Under Alabama law, a state of emergency typically lasts 60 days, but it can be terminated earlier by the governor.
With the potential for icy conditions and snow, Governor Ivey has stressed the importance of staying informed and taking proactive measures to ensure safety. Local authorities and emergency services are on standby, ready to assist as the winter weather system moves through the region.
Residents are encouraged to monitor weather updates, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for the possibility of power outages and other disruptions caused by the winter storm.
