These are the latest press releases from the Lee County EMA:

April 15, 2011

Alabama EMA encourages people to take the severe weather threat serious, and heed local warnings

Clanton-The Alabama Emergency Management Agency encourage residents to take this severe weather serious as it moves across Alabama. According to the National Weather Service, this storm has produced strong tornadoes, damaging wind and hail, and prior to reaching Alabama this line of storm was a result of several fatalities in Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is imperative for residents to know which severe weather threat they are facing and act accordingly.

Residents need to have a plan as to where they are going to seek shelter. If residents are unable to seek shelter at their home they need to contact their local EMA office, they can find that office number by going to our website and clicking the “county EMA” tab. Their county director can direct them to a safe facility.

The State Emergency Operations Center has upgrade our activation level, to level three and we have additional staff on hand to monitor this system moving through, as well as monitoring our tracking system for potential resource requests from the counties.

AEMA also has staff positioned in Tuscaloosa and Lee counties as preparations are underway for the University’s spring games and other planned outdoor events. In Talladega County, we have our mobile command bus and staff stationed there to assist the local officials with monitoring the weather as it moves toward east Alabama.

“With conditions as severe as the ones we are facing today, we encourage residents to heed the warnings of the National Weather Service and their local officials and stay informed as they make plans throughout the evening,” said Director Art Faulkner.

As a reminder, tornado season is from March to May.

January 9, 2010

NON-ESSENTIAL LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED

Due to the impending Ice Storm and for the safety of Lee County employees:

All non-essential Lee County Government office will be closed on Monday, January 10, 2011. Employees are not required to report to work unless you have been notified by your immediate supervisor to do so.

The Lee County Courthouse will be closed.

The Justice Center will be closed.

As our agency becomes notified of additional closures, we will pass this information out to all media outlets.

ICE STORM WARNING FOR LEE COUNTY

The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for Lee County from 6 p.m. this evening until 6 p.m. Monday evening. Accumulating ice is likely starting late this evening with an expected quarter (1/4) to half (1/2) inch of ice accumulation.

An Ice Storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous and/or impossible. Travel is strongly discouraged. Widespread road closures are possible. If roads are closed citizens are advised to use extreme caution. Also be advised that if roads are closed, vehicle insurance coverage may not be valid.

SHELTER INFORMATION

Widespread power outages are possible with this Ice Storm. If you are without power, shelter information is available by calling 211.  If you go to a shelter for warmth, you MUST bring the following with you:

• Food (meals will not be provided)
• Bottled water or juice or soft drinks
• Any medications you may require
• Baby items if needed (diapers, wipes, formula, food)
• Bedding(Blankets, sleeping bag, pillows)

January 8, 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM WILL UPGRADE LEE COUNTY TO A WINTER STORM WARNING SOMETIME THIS EVENING.

CONFIDENCE IS HIGH FOR SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 1 INCH FROM MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT UNTIL 3 A.M. MONDAY MORNING. AFTER THIS TIME WE CAN EXPECT ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION. I-85 CORRIDOR REFLECTS THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF THIS ACCUMULATION.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ICE ARE FORECAST AND WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.THIS AMOUNT OF ICE COULD BE DEVASTATING WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF WIDESPREAD SUSTAINED POWER OUTAGES.TRAVEL CONDITIONS MAY BE HAZARDOUS. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION.

The Lee County Emergency Management Agency is urging citizens to take steps to protect yourselves, your pets, and vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, during this Winter Storm Warning.

We would also like to remind you to use extra caution with indoor heating appliances. Never leave these heat sources “unattended” or too close to other objects. This could create a dangerous fire situation.

EMERGENCY SHELTER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE LEE COUNTY EMA BY CALLING…….. (334) 737-7222