Fairhope, Alabama fairhopetimes@att.net
WINTER STORM 'LEON'
City government and many businesses closed early this afternoon in anticipation of icy road conditions later this afternoon and evening should the freezing rain continue. Temperatures were already below freezing this afternoon.
The pier is closed and barricades at-the-ready to block off slick roadways tonight -- especially hills.
Residents should particularly be cognizant of falling trees and limbs, especially along roadways -- made heavy with a coating of ice.
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ANTICIPATED
Electric Superintendent Sligh said the broken limbs could damage power lines and block traffic.
Sligh: "Limbs will break and continue to break until all the ice is gone ... ."
Sligh said another concern is contraction of metal lines: 'Sometimes they pull apart ... usually at splices."
"The best advice I can give ... don't go near power lines that are down ... especially in an ice situation," since the ice may act as insulation preventing the breaker from tripping normally (live wire).
Sligh said the Electric Department would have people on stand-by all night and bring in any additional as needed to handle whatever may arise.
Fairhope police Department advises to stay off roads if you can:
"Snow in our area is unusual and we realize that many people will want to venture out. Please understand that the prediction for ice can make roadways very dangerous. If you must travel, remember to drive slowly and to break slowly and gently. If you are approaching a stop sign, start to slow down twice as far in advance as you normally would. Also, slowly apply pressure to the breaks and let up, then very gently break again."
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