West Alabama Monday Briefing
It is Monday, August 7, 2023, and we begin the work week with a mixed bag of weather today. Dangerous heat and strong to severe storms are in the forecast.
An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect from Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Bibb County southward. Heat index values will range between 105 and 115 degrees today.
A Heat Advisory is in effect for Lamar, Fayette and Pickens counties northward. Heat index values of 105 degrees or higher are possible.
A swath of Alabama from Hamilton to Auburn includes all of Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties and easter portions of Hale and Perry counties in an area of Slight (2 in 5) Risk for severe weather. Damaging winds to 70mph with quarter size hail, heavy rain and dangerous lightning are possible.
The remainder of West Alabama is under a Moderate (1 in 5) Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds to 60mph, small hail, heavy rain and lightning.
The time frame for the severe weather potential in Alabama runs from 2:00pm until 11:00pm.
Topping the News:
Power crews worked through the night to restore power to several hundred customers across West Alabama who have been in the dark since yesterday’s severe thunderstorms raked the area, downing trees and power lines. As many as 80,000 statewide customers were without power at the peak of the storm. Several hundred in Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties remained without power this morning.
Some roof damage to businesses in downtown Russellville was the only significant structure damage reported from Sunday's storms.
Still no identity has been released for the body of a man recovered Saturday night in Lake Nicol after he dove from a cliff. Fire/Rescue found the man in an area known locally as "The Cliffs".
The Northport City Council, tonight, will hear a first reading on an ordinance that establishes “Juneteenth” as an official paid holiday for city employees. June 19th is the day in 1865 when slaves in the Galveston, TX area became among the last to learn that they had been freed. It is a federal, state and in many Alabama cities, including Tuscaloosa, is a municipal holiday.
Schools began in Fayette County Friday, but school busses will not be hitting the road in Jasper City, Greene County, Marengo County and Bibb Counties until tomorrow. Classes begin Wednesday in Tuscaloosa City and County Schools, Hale County, Pickens County and Walker County.
School bells ring amid concern being raised for the RSV virus, a respiratory virus that ADPH Physician, Dr. Wes Stubblefield say can easily spread between children and between children and adults. Advocates administering a newly approved preventative RSV shot urge it be made available for all babies under eight months.
Alabamians are again headed to Mississippi to buy lottery tickets. There was no winner in Friday's Mega Millions Drawing so the jackpot rolls up to $1.55 billion. It will be a new record for the biggest Mega Millions prize ever.
Tickets are $2 each and are sold in 45 states, including every state surrounding Alabama, but not Alabama. Drawing will be conducted at 10 p.m. CDT on Tuesday.
In Sports:
The opening of an upscale miniature golf course partially owned by pro golfer Tiger Woods has been delayed. The venue next to Baumhower's Restaurant and Hampton Inn just off McFarland Blvd. is undergoing some design changes according to Tuscaloosa 5th District Councilman Kip Tyner.
PopStroke, as it is called, had been scheduled to open early next month but it now looks more like November will be the opening date. This will be the seventh PopStroke with the others located in larger metro areas. The company's website defines the unique entertainment property as an experiential golf and casual dining concept.
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