Snow accumulation acceeds ‘blizzard of 1993’

By Lanell Downs Smith

Extreme winter weather took most of central and south Alabama by storm Tuesday, with areas of Butler and Crenshaw County accumulating more than four-five inches of snow. Crenshaw County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Elliot Jones measured close to seven inches of snow Tuesday evening.

“This measurement (six-and-one-half inches) was just taken in the middle of my back yard on flat ground,” Jones posted on social media late Tuesday. “[Accumulation easily beats 1993 and [is] very possibly the most received in Luverne since the blizzard of 1973.”

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), The National Weather Service (NWS) and local EMA’s began sharing a grim forecast on Saturday ahead of the storm, predicting first a 50% chance of between one and three inches of snow, the 70% and finally up to 90% probability of four to five inches of frozen precipitation.

Reality exceeded expectations when between 9 and 10 a.m. snowfall started Tuesday. By 5 p.m., the snow storm had ceased, leaving a blanket of white behind that was heavier than many people had seen in five decades.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office deemed all county, state and federal roads impassable Tuesday evening and extended a warning to avoid travel through Wednesday.

All county, state and federal roads in Crenshaw County were considered impassable throughout Wednesday.

“Due to the ongoing snow and ice storm, all county, state, and federal roads are currently impassable and closed,” officers said on social media. “The weather has created extremely dangerous conditions, and we strongly urge everyone to stay off the roads until conditions improve.”

Motorists were cautioned to consider that they could be stranded for an extended period in freezing temperatures if they attempted to travel Tuesday or Wednesday.

“Please understand that first responder resources are stretched thin, and we may not be able to reach you in an emergency,” the Sheriff’s office reported. “Your safety is our top priority, and the best way to protect yourself and others is to remain indoors and avoid travel at all costs.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office reported a two-vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler on Alabama Highway 97 at the 7-mile marker between Beck Road and Burgamy Swamp Road. The roadway was blocked and remained blocked, with ALDOT responding to the area, until just before 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

A massive shutdown of businesses and schools across the county on Tuesday and Wednesday extended into Thursday for some organizations. Crenshaw County Schools, Crenshaw Christian Academy, the Crenshaw County Courthouse and the Luverne Public Library as well as most churches and civic organizations canceled or postponed events and meetings into Thursday as the snow melted leaving the potential for ice accumulation in freezing Wednesday-night temperatures.

An Extreme Cold Warning went into effect at 9 p.m. Wednesday until 9 a.m. Thursday morning with temperatures expected to remain around 10 degrees.