School districts close, shelters open due to weather threat

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison City Schools has dismissed students because of the severe weather threat that is approaching Madison County.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Watch for North Alabama until 9 p.m.

Madison students in pre-kindergarten dismissed at 11 a.m. Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools and Discovery and Liberty middle schools dismissed at 11:30 a.m. and all elementary schools at noon.

Madison buses are finishing routes for secondary students before picking up elementary students. All after-school activities today have been cancelled, including extended-day care on several campuses.

Huntsville City and Madison County schools also dismissed early.

Calhoun Community College is closing at 1:15 p.m. The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Athens State University will close at 2 p.m. on April 28.

If the City of Madison loses power and a tornado warning is issued, Madison patrol officers will sound their sirens for four continuous minutes to alert citizens. Police sirens will sound only if a power loss occurs.

The public can seek shelter at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church at 1418 Old Railroad Bed Road; lower floor at Bob Jones High School (pets permitted); James Clemens High School gym from 2 p.m. to midnight (pets crated); the Faith Building basement at Asbury United Methodist Church; and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.