West Alabama Thursday Briefing
It is Thursday January 25, 2024.
There is a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms today and again Saturday, but the main issue will be gusty winds and training heavy rainfall across the area. Some 3 inches of rain have already inundated West Alabama and with another 2" to 3" possible between now and Saturday, a Flash Flood Watch is in effect from now through Saturday afternoon. Locally higher amounts possible.
Flood Warnings are in effect for Area Rivers like the Black Warrior in Greene, Hale and Marengo Counties, Tombigbee in Greene, Hale, Sumter and Marengo counties and the Sucarnoochie at Livingston in Sumter County.
All the rainfall has also been the culprit for most of the numerous traffic crashes across the region. ALEA Troopers are reminding motorists to slow down because of water ponding on roadways.
The new U.S. Drought Monitor released this morning reveals that the drought is hanging on, even if it has diminished some. Most of Fayette, Greene, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties remain highlighted as being in Severe Drought. The remaining West Alabama counties are in Moderate Drought.
The Forecast:
Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 71. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 3am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 67. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 58. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
The New Work Week: Mostly sunny days with highs from the mid 50s to low 60s. Nights will be mainly clear with lows in the lower to mid 30s.
Topping the News:
People living with low income in Hale, Pickens, Green, and Tuscaloosa counties will be getting help addressing health hazards. A total of $1.8 million dollars has been allocated to Community Service Programs of West Alabama by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The goal of the project is to eliminate hazards like mold, mildew, pesticides and lead from houses constructed in the 1030s and 40s. The program allows a resident to apply for up to $10,000 in repairs to fix these issues in their home.
A man is in critical condition at DCH Regional Medical Center after being shot earlier this morning. According to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit the incident took place at Creekside Apartments on Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa.
More information is expected later today from the VCU which is investigating the fourth shooting in Tuscaloosa County since Saturday morning.
The first use of a Safe Haven Box in Alabama for mothers to place babies they cannot raise has taken place in Madison, near Huntsville. The Kids to Love Foundation says the box had been in place at the Madison Fire Department for just 12 days. Babies can be up to 45 days old, and mothers can give them anonymously to fire stations with around-the-clock staffing. An incubator type Baby Box will soon be available at Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Station No. 1, located at 1501 Greensboro Ave.
A shooting in the 3600 block of 17th Street in Northport Wednesday left one person with a leg wound. Officers investigating the incident did not believe the wound to be life threatening. No arrests have been reported.
A change.org petition demanding the weekend fatal shooting of 28-year-old Rashid Little at the CRU Lounger on 69South be declared a hate crime has gathered more than 11-hundred signatures. The petition claims Rashid was brutally beaten by three security guards and then taken outside where he was shot three times by a security guard named Arron Dewayne Hill. The 35-year-old Hill has been charged with murder and 47yo Thyasis Walker charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. brought his independent presidential campaign to the UA campus yesterday. He told reporters he needs 5,000 signatures to get on the Alabama ballot. Kennedy is attempting win support from younger Americans.
A lounge, theatre and gathering space for prospective UA students highlight the new 15,000 sq. foot UA Welcome Center at the Bryce Main Building. It is named after Catherine and Pettus Randall.
In Sports:
Alabama knocked 8th ranked Auburn (16-3, 5-1 SEC) from the unbeaten ranks in the SEC with a 79-75 win at Coleman last night. The Tide blew a 14-point lead but held on for the win in the Iron Bowl on the Hardwood but Coach Nate Oats, while proud of the team win is still concerned about slow starts.
The Crimson Tide (13-6, 5-1 SEC) ended the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 44-30 lead at intermission, However, the Tigers responded in the second half on a 9-0 run and would eventually take the lead before Alabama made clutch free throws and defensive stops down the stretch to pull out the four-point win.
The Crimson Tide stays home Saturday night for a 7:00pm match against LSU.
Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap has decided to turn pro after winning his PGA Tour victory in La Quinta, California, at The American Express last weekend. He was the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1991.
The sophomore was at last night's Bama basketball game but did not tip his hand about today's announcement. He becomes the seventh Tide golfer on the PGA Tour.
Alabama baseball will host its annual Fan Day at Noon on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The free, family-friendly event will feature inflatable bounce houses and slides along with a face painter and a balloon artist on-site. Kids will also have the opportunity to meet Big Al and get autographs from the team. Additionally, fans will be able to get an up-close look at the 2024 team by signing up for an on-field experience during the Tide's batting practice session.
From UA Athletics: Fifth-year senior pitcher Kayla Beaver was selected to the Top 50 Watch List for the 2024 USA Softball Player of the Year award, released Wednesday.
The graduate transfer was a finalist for the Player of the Year award last season at Central Arkansas, leading the Bears with a 25-7 record and 1.15 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 201.2 innings. Her 11 shutouts ranked third nationally while her 25 wins and 1.15 ERA also ranked among the top 10. She was named the ASun Conference Tournament MVP and was a NFCA Second Team All-Region honoree.
The Top 25 finalists for the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced May 1.
Shelton State Community College Women's Basketball is in the midst of another stellar season. The Lady Bucs are 17-4 overall, 5-0 in the conference and 5-0 at home. They are on a six-game winning streak. The host Bishop State at 2:00 Saturday afternoon.
Stay dry, drive safe and have a thundering Thursday!
More From 95.3 The Bear
