MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey has issued a State of Emergency effective at 3 p.m. today for all Alabama counties in preparation for potential winter weather. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory for a large portion of Alabama in anticipation of rain, snow and freezing temperatures.

By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Center in Clanton and the Alabama National Guard to assist with emergency transportation needs. Ivey is also directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist communities and entities affected by the winter storm.

“This winter storm has the potential to affect a large portion of our state,” Ivey said. “Citizens in the northern half of the state should be especially mindful of the changing weather conditions. Travel conditions could be negatively impacted Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Please avoid travel if possible, and be very careful if you do have to get out on the roadways.”

Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution while driving, check road conditions before departing, allow for increased travel times, and adjust arrival and departure times accordingly. Drivers are also urged to limit travel to emergency travel only.

As always, keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with a blanket, a few bottles of water, snacks, phone charger and a first-aid kit.

“Now is a good time to prepare for the inclement conditions winter weather may bring in the coming days,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings. “Although the storm is fast-moving with short but heavy bursts of snow fall, it is the freezing temperatures after the front passage and especially at night that will create dangerous driving conditions where residual water on roadways freezes.”

For real-time road conditions, the Alabama Department of Transportation is encouraging individuals to visit www.algotraffic.com.

You can text “ALALERT” to 888777 to receive information for winter weather affects from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

Suggestions on how to prepare for winter can be found at www.ema.alabama.gov and on Twitter by following @AlabamaEMA.  Preparedness information can also be found at www.ready.gov or by following Ready Alabama on Twitter at @readyalabama.

A copy of the Governor’s State of Emergency can be found here.