More than a dozen people took shelter at the Daleville Cultural and Convention Center which opened prior to the onset of the anticipated severe weather Sunday, April 12.
A wind advisory went into effect at 1 p.m. April 12 with the possibility of an isolated storm ahead of the squall line, according to emergency management agency reports. Also anticipated were 20-30 mile an hour sustained winds with gusts up to 40 mph. Rainfall with this system was forecast to be around one- inch.
Weather forecasters predicted a moderate risk of severe weather during the early morning hours of Monday, April 13, which was expected to upgrade in severity comprised of long-lived, widespread and intense severe storms, to include tornadoes, widespread wind damage and destructive hail.
The severe weather system was forecast to be in the area overnight into April 13, sometime between midnight to 4 a.m.
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a State of Emergency April 12 at about 3 p.m. "On this Easter Sunday, Alabama faces the potential for inclement weather and we want all Alabama families to be prepared for whatever comes our way,” she said in her news announcement. “Any provision of the COVID-19 orders is suspended to the extent that its application or enforcement would endanger any person affected by tonight's severe weather.
“Shelters and community safe rooms should remain open and accessible to all individuals seeking refuge from this severe weather, while implementing reasonable practices and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those seeking shelter,” Ivey said, urging citizens to, “Stay vigilant and stay safe this Easter Sunday.”
The Daleville storm shelter opened at 10 p.m. at the Daleville Cultural and Convention Center at 740 South Daleville Avenue in Daleville April 12, according to Daleville Director of Public Safety Chief Allen Medley.
Medley said the people at the shelter left by about 3 a.m. after the immediate threat of danger had passed. “We were happy to be able to provide a safe shelter for them for the duration of the storm,” he said.
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