West Alabama Thursday Briefing

Good Thursday morning West Alabama! It is September 12, 2024, and weather is getting everyone's attention today.

Francine came ashore in Louisiana last night as a category 2 Hurricane with winds of 100mph. But once ashore the topical system began to deteriorate rapidly due to wind shear and dry air infiltrating the southern quadrant of the storm but don't let your guard down, Francine can still pack a punch as it moves northward in Mississippi as a Tropical Depression.

Hundreds of thousands are without power across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana this morning. Here in Alabama the outage count has reached 15,000 as of 9:00 this morning but they are expected to continue to mount throughout the day as winds gust upwards of 45mph bringing down trees and power lines.

More than half of the power customers in Choctaw County are without juice this morning with all the western tier of counties reporting loss of power. Almost 3,000 customers are without power in Tuscaloosa County alone.

A Wind Advisory and Flood Watch remain in effect until tomorrow morning.

The Forecast:

Today

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind.

Saturday

A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

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Topping the News:

Tropical Depression Francine is weakening but still has a few punches left, including high winds gusts and torrential rainfall in spots. The storm has been relatively docile across West Alabama this morning but as it churns northward more impacts are expected.

West Alabama Volunteer Fire Departments have been busy this morning clearing roadways of downed trees.

31-year-old Shaquille Rashaun Lowe has confessed to charges of aggravated child abuse after shaking his infant daughter, causing major injuries.

The Tuscaloosa resident was booked in the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where he is being held until a hearing with a judge to determine if he will be given bond and where it should be set.

If you're having trouble checking your email this morning, you're not alone. Multiple Microsoft applications weren't working this morning, according to the technology company. It is combined with some sort of AT&T outage.

The company issued the following statement, "We're investigating an issue where users may be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365 services. Please look for MO888473 in the admin center for more details and further updates."

Microsoft is yet to explain what has caused the outage.

There have been nine pedestrian accidents on the University of Alabama campus since school started. That is the same number that occurred all of the 2023-24 school year. That has prompted UA Police to issue a statement urging motorist and pedestrians to use caution.

In a written statement, UA Public Information Officer Shane Dorrill called the main culprit inattention, "The big cause is distraction. Everybody gets distracted whether its distracted drivers or distracted pedestrians." Dorrill urged motorists and pedestrians to put away the cell phones and pay attention to what you are doing.

Pedestrians are urged to use marked crosswalks and not dart between cars. Drivers are urged to slow down and pay attention to people cross the street.

The woman that was struck by an 18-wheeler and killed early yesterday morning has been identified as 30-year-old Kiana Marie Armstrong of Tuscaloosa.

The accident just before 5:30 yesterday morning took place where the I20/59 exit ramp merges with the northbound I359 connector into downtown Tuscaloosa.

TPD reports Ms. Armstrong's car had stopped and as she got out of the vehicle she was hit by the 18-wheeler.

The accident is still under investigation by TPD's Traffic Homicide Unit which conducts investigations of fatal crashes.

21-year-old Tuscaloosa resident Corderius Green was arrested and charged with attempting to elude a police officer in Atmore, Alabama Tuesday.A release by Atmore police stated that Green's arrest occurred at approximately 12:25 a.m. after an APD officer observed a vehicle on Wilson Avenue driving at a high rate of speed in the middle of the street.

Topping Sports News:

There four key players for Wisconsin that Alabama will have to pay close attention to in Saturday morning's game at Camp Randall Stadium.

Elijah Hills, the defensive lineman has recorded a sack in both of Wisconsin’s games this season and has been one of the brighter spots on this Badger defense.
Tackett Curtis, recorded five total tackles and three solo tackles while not playing the entire game.
Will Pauling, leads the Badgers in receiving yards, but is yet to have an explosive play or a touchdown.
Cade Yackamelli, the running back has been a key component to the Badger's offense.

Wisconsin's first year Head Coach Luke Fickle knows his team, which struggled to win their first two games have their work cut out for them. “Every game is different,” head coach Luke Fickell said ahead of the game. “I mean, we’re not going to lie, [Alabama] is the top team in college football in the last 20 years. I mean, you guys knew it. Yeah, it was daunting. It’s been hanging over top of your head from the time you walked in the door here.

The Cullman at Jasper high school football game that had been scheduled for tonight has been postponed until tomorrow night due to the risk of severe weather tonight.

Click on TuscaloosaThread.com throughout the day for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.

Have a safe Thursday and ROLL TIDE!!