West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, March 12, 2025. This is the 71st day of the year with 294 remaining.
Wednesday Morning Observations:
Now is the time to begin preparing for the potential severe weather outbreak Thursday through Saturday. Strong to severe thunderstorms tomorrow will give way to a more significant threat Friday and Saturday, including strong tornadoes (EF-2 or above). Knowing this should prompt you and your family to be ready.
The most basic preparedness is paying attention to National Weather Service outlooks, understand the exact threat and the area in which it is expected to occur. Have a way to receive watches and warnings. There is no excuse for not knowing these days. You can receive information on NOAA Weather Radio, Townsquare Media's Operations Storm Watch on air and on TuscaloosaThread.com, make sure your smartphone's "Wireless Emergency Alerts" is on and/or monitor TV weather (local TV and the Weather Channel).
Basic preparedness means understanding severe weather terminology.
When a watch or warning is issued, take it seriously. Note the counties covered by the watch and if you are in the polygon for a warning. Plus, know where you are. With our mobile society these days a lot of people can't identify on a map just where they are located in relation to the watch area or warning polygon.
If a warning is issued don't depend on just the outdoor warning siren. It is called an outdoor siren for a reason; it is not meant for persons indoors.
Take a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" seriously. I don't know how many times I have heard people say, "it is just a thunderstorm". Remember a valid axiom, not all severe thunderstorms spawn tornadoes but all tornadoes are spawned by severe thunderstorms.
Go inside when a severe thunderstorm is issued, lightning and high winds can injure and kill. Stay away from windows, water and electronics. Lightning can use all of these as a path to strike you. Lightning call also strike from miles away.
Tornado Warnings should be taken seriously, it is not a time to grab your cellphone to get a photo or video of the twister. Tornado safety can save lives.
First, the possible tornado may be many miles away but still moving in your general direction. So, you may not see anything looking outside when you receive the warning.
More importantly, if the storm is closer, you may not recognize it as a tornado. Some tornadoes can be hidden by a giant curtain of heavy rain, or your visibility may be blocked by trees or hills.
Go to an interior room on the lowest floor, put on a helmet (bicycle, football, baseball or work) to protect from head trauma. Get under a heavy table or cover yourself with a mattress or blanket to provide some extra protection.
Put on a good, sturdy pair of shoes or boots. If your home is damaged, there may be debris with sharp edges, broken glass and exposed nails on the ground that could be a danger. You may not be able to locate your shoes if the storm heavily damages your home.
If in a mobile home, seek a community storm shelter or more substantial building.
Don't attempt to drive or walk through high water, "Turn Around, Don't Drown". Just a few inches of fast-moving water can sweep you off your feet or float a car.
Living in "Dixie Alley" you may be familiar with severe weather safety, but it doesn't hurt to review. For new residents from outside the area, respecting severe weather can save you and your family's lives.
(Opinions express in Morning Briefing are those of the author and not necessarily the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
A beautiful day today will give way to three days of severe weather threats across West Alabama.
Strong to severe storms may develop during the day on Thursday, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threats between 8:00am and 7:00pm. Friday and Saturday will be the more significant threat days.
Between 9:00pm Friday and 7:00am Saturday there is an Enhanced (3 in 5) Risk west and northwest of Tuscaloosa and a Slight (2 in 5) Risk to the east and southeast. Strong (EF-2 or higher) tornadoes are possible Saturday through Sunday morning.
Read More: Spann: “Significant Severe Weather Threat” Headed to Alabama
The Forecast:
Rep. Sewell Votes Against GOP Continuing Resolution
The gap between Republicans and Democrats in the Alabama Congressional Delegation is wide. The U.S. House passed legislation Tuesday to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September. In a post on her Facebook page, West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell claims the budget cuts benefit the wealthy and hurt everyone else.
Yesterday she voted against the Republican’s continuing resolution which she says deprives Alabama’s 7th Congressional District of $14.1 million worth of community project funding and inflicts devastating cuts on the programs that Alabama families rely on.
Trump/Musk Cuts Could Impact Alabama State Retirees
Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner is concerned that massive cutbacks by the Trump Administration could negatively impact retired Alabama teachers and state employees. Bronner told AL.com volatility in the markets could have a negative impact on RSA investments that help fund the retirement system.
Cagle Wins Dem Special Senate District 5 Primary
Ryan Cagle defeated Sarah Watkins in a special Democrat primary for the District 5 State Senate Seat vacated by Greg Reed when Gov. Ivey appointed him to head the Work Force Department in her administration. Cagle will face Republican State Rep. Matt Woods in a special general election on June 24th.
District 5 encompasses all of Lamar, Fayette and Walker counties and portions of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.
Tuscaloosa VCU Investigating Shooting at Bobby Miller Center
Authorities said a group was engaged in a large physical altercation at the Bobby Miller Center just off 69 South yesterday afternoon when a shot was fired, striking a man. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center by private vehicle with what police described as serious injuries. The altercation began on the basketball court and the shooting took place outside.
There have been no arrests, and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
Read More: Tuscaloosa VCU On Scene of Shooting at Bobby Miller Center
Boligee Without Water Today
Residents of Boligee, in southwest Sumter County, need to take precautions and plan ahead for water outages on today. The city of Eutaw announced on Monday plans to install new water lines for Boligee residents via the City of Eutaw Facebook page.
Read More: Boligee Residents to Be Without Water on Wednesday
Topping Sports News:
Bama Baseball Now 17-1 After Win at UAB
The Alabama Baseball Team is back in the win column after a 6-3 victory of UAB in Birmingham last night. The Tide is now 17-1 going on the road at Texas A&M to begin the SEC schedule this coming weekend.
Read More: Alabama Survives Blazers in Birmingham
SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Gets Underway Today
What is expected to be one of the most tightly contested SEC Men's Basketball Tournaments gets underway a Bridgestone Arena at noon today in Nashville.
There are four games on tap today beginning with 16 Seed South Carolina battling with 9 Seed Arkansas.
1 Seed Auburn and 4 Seed Alabama do not play until Friday due to securing double byes. The Tigers play at noon Friday and Alabama 25 minutes after game 11.
Bama Softball Gets Big Road Win
Alabama softball scored in four of the five innings it came to bat, including three home runs in the fourth, to secure a 15-3 road win Tuesday over South Alabama.
Alabama (20-7) plated three runs in the first inning without registering a hit, before South Alabama (11-15) answered with a run of its own in the bottom half.
The Tide begins Southeastern Conference play at the Rhodes House this weekend:
- Friday, March 14 – 6 p.m. CDST
- Saturday, March 15 – 2 p.m. CDST
- Sunday, March 16 – 1:30 p.m. CDST
West Alabama Moves Spring Football Game Due to Potential Weather Threat
Due to the potential for significant severe weather Saturday, the University of West Alabama has moved up its spring football game to a 4:30 kickoff Friday afternoon.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Stay alert tomorrow thru Saturday.
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
