A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Friday at 3:01 a.m. for gusty showers until 3:45 a.m. for Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers and Elmore counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 3:01 a.m., Doppler radar tracked gusty showers along a line extending from near Delta to near Parkdale to near Gap Of The Mountain. Movement was east at 50 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Alexander City, Sylacauga, Clanton, Roanoke, Dadeville, Jemison, Lineville, Ashland, Goodwater, Wedowee, Rockford, Kellyton, Weogufka, Equality, Stewartville, Lake Wedowee, Thorsby, Jacksons’ Gap, New Site and Wadley.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

• Do not play in or around culverts or drainage ditches as swiftly moving water that occurs during heavy rain can sweep you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and stay cautious:

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Visibility matters:

• Turn on your headlights.
• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.