By Howard Koplowitz | hkoplowitz@al.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on April 04, 2017 at 5:42 PM, updated April 04, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency Tuesday with severe weather, including possible tornadoes and strong storms, forecasted Wednesday in Alabama.
"Alabama is no stranger to the impact severe weather can have on communities and the devastation that can occur when the weather takes a turn for the worse," the governor said in a statement. "I have issued a state of emergency as a precautionary measure to ensure state resources are on standby and are ready to assist impacted communities should the need arise. I also want to encourage individuals to stay weather aware and have a method to receive the latest weather alerts."
The state is bracing for long-track tornadoes, golf-ball-sized hail and high winds across several counties. Several counties have canceled or delayed school due to the forecast.
Bentley's state of emergency takes effect 6 p.m. Tuesday. The proclamation also activates the State Emergency Operation Center in Clanton to level three, which allows staff to monitor severe weather and activates 50 National Guard troops to respond to the storms.