TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, AL (WBRC) -
Earlier this week, Tuscaloosa County officials worried about severe flooding that closed several roadways in the area. Now, their main fear is snow and sleet that may come tomorrow.
Wednesday, about two feet of water covered parts of the park at Manderson Landing just north of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. By the afternoon, there were chunks of ice floating down the Black Warrior River, which is still about five feet higher than normal.
Crews are preparing for the several inches of snow that could fall tomorrow. Tuscaloosa County Public Works are gassing up cars and stockpiling sand and de-icing salt. Officials say their main concern is ice on any of the 150 bridges throughout the county, or on any roadways in elevated parts of the county.
Tuscaloosa County engineer Alan Springer says crews have moved from maintenance to response operations as they gear up for Thursday's weather. They have 50 tons of sand ready in case the bridges in the county ice over.
The sheriff's office and Tuscaloosa County EMA say they are preparing for four to five inches of snow in the county.
Related: Central Ala. under winter storm watch
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The Black Warrior River has flooded along the Manderson Landing park in Tuscaloosa. Source: Kelvin Reynolds
About 2 feet of water covers part of the park where normally people can sit on benches or walk around. Source: Kelvin Reynolds
Tuscaloosa County Public Works officials are getting trucks ready to respond in case of snow or ice tomorrow.
Up to 50 tons of sand has been collected and will be spread on bridges if they ice over.
