HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – As it gets colder outside, many in the Tennessee Valley may remember last January when a winter storm shut down schools and businesses for a week.

With that in mind, Huntsville and Madison County leaders say they are prepared for the worst.

“Preparation is our message right now and we will adapt accordingly,” said Jeff Birdwell, director of the Madison County EMA.

That’s the message from Madison County’s EMA director and other local leaders regarding the upcoming winter weather, which is expected to bring icy and snowy conditions.

Birdwell says they don’t expect the weather this week to be as severe as it was in January 2024, but they are prepared for anything.

Huntsville Public Works Director Chris McNeese says the city has equipped 10 one-ton trucks with plows and spreaders to deal with snowy and icy roads.

This brings their fleet to 15.

“We will have people stationed throughout the city ready to respond if there is traffic congestion on the roads. Of course we will have plows in certain places,” McNeese said.

Huntsville Community Development Director Scott Erwin says at least four warming centers will be open throughout the city for anyone who needs them.

And Huntsville Transit offers free rides to these centers.

John Autry also says they are prepared to provide emergency transportation for anyone in rural areas who may need to urgently travel into the city for appointments and other needs.

“You know, we certainly wouldn’t have the resources for hundreds of thousands, but the individual cases and emergencies that arise in a possible event like this… You know, we are ready and have responded in the past,” Autry said.

Executives say that while it’s important to be prepared, there’s no reason to panic. They don’t think the weather this week will be anywhere close to the ice storm last January.

“The highlight of it was that the frost was not overcome for several days. “We’re expecting 37 to 38 degrees Friday, Saturday, so whatever precipitation we have will have an opportunity to thaw out,” Birdwell said.

Huntsville Police Capt. Stephen Anderson said officers have been checking their equipment and patrol vehicles to ensure they can safely respond to emergency calls in these conditions.

“We do everything we can to be prepared in advance. We checked all of our equipment and made sure everything was ready for use. We have already done that so far. This means we are well prepared to respond to any emergency situations,” said Anderson.

Leaders say they will continue to monitor conditions as the front lines advance.

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