Haleyville preparing for winter weather

HALEYVILLE    - Haleyville city officials are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst, when it comes to the potential for severe winter weather this weekend by giving out safety tips and preparation measures ahead of the storm.
All city department heads gathered Wednesday morning, Jan. 21, for a video presentation ahead of the storm, starting with a welcome from Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell, who stated each department head would address specifics related to the possible winter weather affecting the area.
“We’re monitoring the possibility of snow and ice beginning Friday night and into the weekend,” Boshell said, adding that city crews were making preparations.
“At this point, there’s no cause to worry, but it’s always smart to take a few simple precautions,” Boshell added. 
Everyone should make sure their cellphones and battery packs are charged, in case of power outages, keep bottled water on hand and use extra caution if needing to drive, Boshell began.
Haleyville Emergency Management Director Phillip Weaver then took the speaker’s stand at the City Hall courtroom. “I think we’re as prepared as any city could be for something like this,” Weaver began. 
“We are preparing and monitoring weather 24/7,  If it gets bad and we have power outages, the main safe center below City Hall will be open for a warming station.
“If it gets bad, stay off the roads,” Weaver added. “If you need us, we’ll be there.”
Winston County Commission Chairman David Cummings advised the wintry weather could move in as early as Friday night, with a mixture of freezing rain which may include snow. 
One of the worst case scenarios is three quarters of an inch of ice, which could cripple travel, cause power outages and result in falling trees or tree limbs, Cummings advised.
“It will not be safe for your road crews or your fire departments to be out clearing these roads,” Cummings stressed. 
Cummings emphasized that older residents or those without a secondary heat source who have electric heat should make preparations now.
“If you lose power and the only heat you have is electric, and it gets negative temperatures,  this community is going to be hurting,” Cummings pointed out. “We could have some people who could possibly freeze to death. This is not something to take lightly. You need to make sure you have some other heat besides electricity.
“You need to be prepared before Friday,” Cummings then emphasized. 
Police Chief Rodney Lewis added, “We need to start preparing before it ever gets here.”
Residents are being advised to avoid all unnecessary travel if winter weather affects the area.
“If you don’t have to be out, don’t get out,” Lewis stated.
Drivers are being reminded that bridges, overpasses and untreated roadways often are the first to ice over during winter weather, city officials warned.
“The Haleyville Police Department is fully prepared for this,” Lewis said. “However,  the severe weather is going to impact our response times.  Our goal is to keep the community safe.”
Parks and Recreation Director Joel Sherrill noted that the Neighborhood Facilities Building, if needed, could be opened as a warming station if the power goes out.
Chris Wilbanks, director of public works, stressed that all of their trucks, sand spreaders and support equipment have been inspected and are ready to roll if needed.
“We were able to obtain some salt from the Alabama Department of Transportation and will plan to salt and sand roads prior to storm impact and throughout the storm when beneficial to traffic safety,” Wilbanks said.
If motorists see a salt or sand spreader on the road, please allow them space and don’t pass them unless it is safe to do so, Wilbanks added.
“We ask that you help us in preparing for winter safety,” Wilbanks concluded.
Street and Sanitation Supervisor Chris Saylor added they would work to keep all roads as accessible as possible, stressing residents should not be out if at all possible during winter weather.
“We have our saws ready if need be to help cut trees out of the road,” said Saylor.
Lane Bates, superintendent of the Haleyville Water Works and Sewer Board, informed they purchase water from Upper Bear Creek, which already has a generator in place.
“We do have a section of town where we pump our own water and we have our own big generator,” Bates said. “We will push water from Kelly Hill to the (Lakeland Community) hospital tank.”
The water board in the past has also provided equipment to help the city clear roadways, Bates said.
Fire Chief Jeff Postell then issued some key safety tips for residents  trying to heat homes during the anticipated bitterly cold temperatures early next week.
“If you have kerosene heaters, fireplaces, any type of supplemental heat, move combustible materials at least three feet away from those sources,” Postell emphasized. 
Those using supplemental sources of heat should never overload power plugs due to the risk of fires, he added. 
“Make sure you have a way of charging your cellphones, if the power lines break and fall during this event, to be able to call out and have access to weather reports,” Postell said.
Fresh batteries need to be placed in weather radios and never place a generator indoors since it releases carbon monoxide which can be deadly, Postell reminded.
If motorists become stranded, they need to keep the vehicle running and turn on their hazard lights so they can be seen, Postell continued. Motorists should also wear multiple layers of clothing.