Day 2 of severe weather closes government offices, schools

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The second consecutive day of severe weather has North Alabama again looking skyward.

Madison City Schools dismissed high and middle school students at noon on April 29, followed by elementary campuses at 12:30 p.m. All after-school activities, including the extended-day programs, have been cancelled for the afternoon and evening of April 29.

On April 28, many residents took shelter in lower floors of Discovery middle and Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools — the first time that public shelter space has been available in Madison. Those residents are expressing appreciation to principals Melanie Barkley, Robby Parker and Dr. Brian Clayton for opening their schools.

Due to the weather situation, the Sixth-Grade Parent Night at Liberty Middle School has been rescheduled for May 1 at 6 p.m.

Calhoun Community College closed at 2 p.m., while Alabama A&M University will close at 4 p.m.

Madison City Hall closed at 2 p.m. All Madison County offices closed their doors at noon.

Forecasters predict strong to severe storms will develop in northwest Alabama from 2 to 5 p.m. In north central Alabama, including the Madison-Huntsville area, storms are likely between 4 and 7 p.m. For northeast Alabama, the threat heightens from 6 to 9 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued the following statement during the morning of April 29:

“A final round of thunderstorms is expected to develop across the central Tennessee Valley today as a cold front finally pushes eastward. Storms will likely develop by early afternoon across northwest Alabama and expand in coverage as the cold front moves eastward through the evening.

Atmospheric conditions do not appear as conducive for strong to violent tornadoes today as they were on Monday, April 28.

However, an unstable environment will exist this afternoon and evening and support a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms. Large hail and flash flooding will be the primary threats, although tornadoes and damaging winds will still be possible.”

For more information, visit. weather.gov and click the North Alabama area on the map.