West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Tuesday Morning Observations:

I was sitting in the newsroom this morning as strong, non-severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and wind gusts to 40mph moved across West Alabama.  During this time dispatchers across West Alabama were responding law enforcement, fire/rescue and ambulances to wreck after wreck.

A short time ago I talked with a first responder friend who had been busy all morning responding to 10-50s as traffic crashes are referred to in Ten Codes lingo. He lamented at how the vast majority of the crashes were preventable if drivers would just slow down.

Some people seem to lose all driving sense in the rain. The logical assumption for worse conditions is that you drive more cautiously, but many drivers seem to become more erratic than if it was normal conditions.

Wet roadways are dangerous enough but trying to drive through areas of ponding can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles quickly. Reduced visibility from torrential rainfall has no impact on some drivers who tool along at bright sunshiny day speeds endangering themselves, their passengers and other drivers.

Heavy rain makes it harder to see what is ahead, sudden stopping becomes difficult, and rain can cause a car to lose grip when braking. Rain after extended dry spells like we have had can cause grease and oil build-up on roads making them even more slippery.

The key to rainy driving safety is pretty straightforward and common sensical. All drivers should stick to the basics when driving in rain.

• Reduce your speed,
• Turn your headlights if they are not automatic,
• Maintain a three to five second gap between you and the car ahead.
• Make sure you accelerate and brake gradually (instead of suddenly), and
• Focus your full attention on driving.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tracked and reported hazards and crashes involving various weather conditions over a 10-year period. Wet pavement not only accounted for the highest percentage of overall weather-related accidents, but it also correlated with the highest rates of accident injuries and fatalities.

So come on drivers, use some common sense and slow down when it is raining. It could save your life, the life of a loved one or the other driver.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are not necessarily those of the ownership, management or staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

It has been a rainy and stormy start to the day with torrential rainfall occurring with some storms, leading to localized flooding in some areas.

A FLOOD ADVISORY is in effect until1:15 this afternoon for eastern Tuscaloosa and Bibb Counties in West Alabama. Water over roadways, urban and small stream flooding are possible.

Severe storms are possible roughly south of the I20/59 corridor in West Alabama.

Wind gusts to 40mph have also toppled some trees. The bulk of the heavy rainfall should be out of the area by mid-afternoon with showers ending later tonight.

The Forecast:

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