Cold temperatures, icy roads pose hazards despite improving conditions
Published on January 11, 2025
While rain helped melt the snow yesterday, black ice formed overnight on roads, sidewalks and across parking lots,” Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Birdwell said. “Subzero temperatures are forecast again tonight, and we’ll likely see more black ice Sunday morning.”
Birdwell was joined by City and regional leaders for a morning briefing to update the public on weather and road conditions.
“We’re essentially in the fourth quarter in the last five minutes of this weather event, so let’s stay vigilant and continue to exercise extreme caution over the next 24 hours,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “Be careful when you go out because icy patches remain.”
Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon said elevated portions of the county were also experiencing black ice. “In driving around, we’ve got a lot of roadways in rural areas with tree-shaded canopies blocking the sun, and they will take longer to dry out,” he said.
Public safety officials reported relatively few accidents Friday, but expect activity to increase as motorists venture out.
“We know everyone is getting stir crazy, but roads are slick and sidewalks are slippery,” Police Chief Kirk Giles said. “Obey the barricades when you see them. Tomorrow might be a better day to get out and about.”
Chief Giles and Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner thanked the public for heeding caution and staying home during the snow event.“Your cooperation has been invaluable,” Sheriff Turner said. “Staying off the roads has allowed crews to be able to treat them and keep you safe.”
Public Works and Madison County Commission crews have worked 24/7 to clear and treat roads throughout the winter weather event. Public Works will now focus on secondary roads at higher elevations.
“We’re taking our salt trucks and graders to tackle elevated entrances into neighborhoods to assist people getting out of their houses,” Public Works Director Chris McNeese said.
Huntsville Utilities reported no power outages today. “We’re blessed the ice didn’t come in any significant degree and operations are normal,” said Wes Kelley, CEO of Huntsville Utilities.
Mayor Battle, Chair McCutcheon and Madison Mayor Paul Finley praised workers for getting ahead of the weather event and staying on top of evolving conditions.
“I see the preventative things our public works crews are doing throughout the year to be prepared for these events,” Mayor Finley said. “A lot of people would compare this event to last year’s event, and there’s no difference in the preparation, and there’s definitely no difference in the effort. But there is 100 percent difference in ice. It’s a matter of where that hits. The good news for us is that it didn’t hit at the level it did last year, and we were prepared.”
For more information on winter weather services and resources, visit the Winter Weather Alerts webpage .
Watch a replay of today’s winter weather briefing on City Video .