Cullman County declares state of emergency ahead of predicted severe storms

At an emergency meeting called to order by Chairman Clement, the Cullman County Commission declared a state of emergency after staff warned that a high-risk severe weather event was expected to move into the county after midnight.

A staff member told commissioners, “We are now in the southern part of our county is in a 5 out of 5 for the weather coming in, which means that basically they're almost a % sure we're gonna get something, whether it be a tornado or something.” The staff member said the National Weather Service office in Huntsville indicated a tornado watch was likely and could last about 24 hours.

The staff member told the commission that forecasts showed the southern part of the county at the highest risk and that conditions could expand countywide by morning. “They are predicting a lot of strong winds. They are predicting 1 to 2 inch size hail. And they are predicting EF 2 tornadoes or greater with this,” the staff member said.

After the briefing, a motion to approve the emergency declaration was offered and seconded. The chair called for the vote: “All in favor say aye. Any opposed?” The chair then said the motion passed.

The declaration was presented as a preemptive step so county officials could prepare and coordinate for the incoming storms; no further operational details, specific resource deployments or statutory citations were provided during the meeting.

Administrative items recorded at the end of the meeting include the commission’s next work session scheduled for March 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. and the next commission meeting on March 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. The meeting was then adjourned.