MCHD Emergency Preparedness

01/23/2025

The “Impassable Roads Advisory” has now lifted. While weather conditions are improving, freezing temperatures are expected tonight and into the early morning hours. Baldwin County EMA advises residents to use EXTREME CAUTION when traveling. Icy patches may persist on shaded roads, bridges, and overpasses, particularly during the early hours.

Key Reminders for Safety
• Drive at reduced speeds and allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Be mindful of black ice, which is difficult to detect and can create hazardous conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns to maintain control of your vehicle.

The Baldwin County Commission has also announced that all county-maintained facilities, including courthouses, will reopen on Friday, January 24th, during normal operating hours.

The Baldwin County Highway Department continues to monitor roadways and address any remaining hazardous areas.

For the latest updates and information, visit www.BaldwinCountyEMA.com or follow Baldwin County EMA on social media.

01/23/2025

TRAFFIC UPDATE (9am Thursday):

The following areas are closed due to ice. Please find alternate routes. (Photo from Cottage Hill Road between Sollie Road and Hillcrest Road):

Cottage Hill Road at Sollie Road

Girby Road between Lloyds Lane and Rue Preserve

Hillcrest Road at Wall Street

Cottage Hill Road between Pesnell Court and Royal Carriage Drive

Knollwood Road at Vista Bonita Drive

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

Wulff Road is closed from Snow Road to Roberts Lane due to heavy ice until noon tomorrow.

01/22/2025

IMPORTANT I-10 CLOSURE ALERT: Effective 7p.m. EST tonight (Jan 22), Interstate 10 (I-10) will be CLOSED in both directions from the Alabama/Florida State Line to Exit 192 (U.S. 90) in Gadsden County due to remaining snow, ice, and water on the roadway combined with incoming hard freeze temperatures overnight resulting in icy and dangerous conditions on bridges and roadways. Please seek alternative routes until further notice.

With conditions changing rapidly and bringing unexpected circumstances, stay put and off the roads for your safety. Remember to heed all local and state guidance.

01/22/2025

This is craziness!!!!!

01/21/2025

As of 12 p.m. on January 21, 2025, all roads and bridges in Baldwin County should be considered IMPASSABLE until further notice due to severe winter weather conditions.

Members of the general public are advised to suspend or delay all travel. Only emergency vehicles should attempt to travel on county roads and bridges during this time to ensure public safety and to allow crews to respond to weather-related hazards effectively.

The Baldwin County Highway Department is actively monitoring road conditions and will provide updates as they become available. An announcement will be made when this IMPASSABLE TRAVEL ADVISORY is lifted.

01/21/2025

Nursery and Wulff Road are very icy!

01/21/2025

10:25 a.m. TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Please see the latest update on road conditions across Mobile County.

01/20/2025

01/20/2025

UPDATE (1/22): For the safety of our patients, employees and volunteers, all USA Health physician offices and clinics, including the Mitchell Cancer Institute locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties, will remain closed until noon Thursday, Jan. 23, due to dangerous road conditions. For any questions regarding your scheduled appointments or procedures, please reach out to your provider’s office.

USA Health acute care facilities, including University Hospital, Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Providence Hospital and our Freestanding Emergency Department on Hillcrest Road will remain open.

Elective procedures and diagnostic tests will be delayed until noon Thursday, Jan. 23.
Please note hospital visitation may be limited during severe weather events.

UPDATE (1/21): All USA Health physician offices and clinics, including the Mitchell Cancer Institute locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties, will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to dangerous road conditions.

ORIGINAL POST:
For the safety of our patients, employees and volunteers, all USA Health physician offices and clinics, including the Mitchell Cancer Institute locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties, will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, because of the threat of severe winter weather and dangerous road conditions.

USA Health acute care facilities, including University Hospital, Children's & Women's Hospital, Providence Hospital and our Freestanding Emergency Department on Hillcrest Road will remain open. All elective procedures have been canceled for Tuesday. Please note hospital visitation may be limited during severe weather events.

Follow our social media pages for additional updates.

01/20/2025

The Mobile County Emergency Management Agency has announced a list of cold weather locations that will be open in response to the wintery forecast.

01/18/2025

In anticipation of winter weather conditions, Baldwin County EMA is partnering with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to provide a Safer Place shelter for residents and visitors in need of warmth and safety.

The shelter, located at 506 N. Pine St., Foley, AL 36536, will open on Sunday, January 19th at 5:00 PM and remain available through Wednesday, January 22nd at 12:00 PM. Anyone needing to contact the Safer Place for any reason can call 251-256-8202.

Individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to bring essential items, such as blankets, pillows, personal medications, and any other necessities for their stay.

Baldwin County EMA has worked in coordination with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to ensure resources and support are in place for an effective community response during this event.

As winter weather is unusual in Baldwin County, residents and visitors are encouraged to take the following precautions:

- Avoid Travel: Stay off the roads if possible. Icy conditions, particularly on bridges and overpasses, can make travel hazardous.
- Prepare Your Home: Keep extra blankets, flashlights, and batteries on hand. If using a space heater, follow safety guidelines and keep it away from flammable materials.
- Protect Pipes: Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip during freezing temperatures to prevent freezing.
- Bring Pets Indoors: Ensure pets are safe and warm inside your home.
- Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the National Weather Service and Baldwin County EMA for the latest information.

If you must drive on the roadways, please be cautious and heed the following safe winter weather driving tips:

- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn your lights on for increased visibility.
- Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on ice roads.

Baldwin County Commission Highway Department is monitoring road conditions and will deploy sand as needed to address icy areas.

01/16/2025

We know there is a lot of discussion starting to take place regarding the threat for winter weather early next week. While we are still far out in time to discuss any specifics, we will have to carefully monitor the potential for winter weather for next Tuesday into Wednesday.

Here is what we know:
- It will turn very cold Sunday through the middle of next week as an arctic air mass builds into the area.
- We will need to keep an eye on the potential for winter weather early next week.

Here is what we don't know:
- The extent of the winter weather threat. There are two scenarios we will be watching:

*Scenario #1* Low pressure develops over the central Gulf and tracks east. Precipitation develops well to the north of the low, resulting in a wintry mix across that could bring impacts to the entire area.

*Scenario #2* Low pressure doesn’t develop or develops across the far southern Gulf. This would keep conditions dry, but temperatures would still be bitterly cold.

We know that's a broad range of solutions, but that is the winter weather reality in the Deep South this far out in time. In the days ahead, we will gain confidence on one of these scenarios. Both are very much in play at this point.

What should you do?
- Monitor the forecast closely over the next several days from a trusted source of information. Be cautious of anybody sharing accumulation graphics this far out in time. As soon we can share more specifics, we will.
- Be prepared for very cold weather because it will happen in either scenario. Protect people, plants, pets, and pipes!