Ronny Gann of Pell City clears snow off his neighborhood street, Savage Town Road.
Patrice Payne, assistant director for the St. Clair County EMA, said the Alabama Department of Transportation issued an emergency road closure for Interstate 20 and 59, and all state highways in St. Clair County Monday morning.
Pell City closed all municipal roads, and Riverside town officials said only emergency vehicles should travel its road. Drivers are on their own if they attempt to travel Monday, officials say.
Payne said St. Clair County roads are not “officially closed,” but all county roads are impassible and people should refrain from any driving today.
She said there is only a small window when temperatures could reach above freezing Monday afternoon, but the perception could refreeze tonight, making travel treacherous.
Payne said the National Weather Service issued a freezing rain advisory until 6 p.m., Monday.
All schools in St. Clair County are closed Monday. All county offices are closed and only essential county personnel are working, Payne said.
Pell City School Assistant Superintendent Michael Barber said Pell City schools will remain closed until roads become passable and I’ts safe for school buses to travel.
“I’m not sure when that will be,” Barber said. “We’re sort of taking a wait-and-see approach.”
He said school officials are closely monitoring the situation and will try to keep parents informed through their Teleparent communication system and through the media.
Precipitation began in St. Clair County with sleet, but eventually turned to snow Sunday night. By 10 p.m., 3 inches of snow was reported in some areas of St. Clair County.
Contact David Atchison at datchison@dailyhome.com.
