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CENTRE — Cherokee Country EMA Director Beverly Daniel sat down with The Post to provide details on the snowfall expected to coat much of northeast Alabama later today and tonight. 

“They have put us under a winter storm warning from six tonight through six in the morning,” she said. ‘The National Weather Service is thinking we will accumulate between one and two inches [between] 6 p.m. and midnight, for the majority of the snowfall.”  

Daniel said with temperatures expected to remain in the low 30s during the day Thursday, whatever snow does fall is likely to linger. 

“So hopefully whatever we get tonight, it won't be very much,” she said. “But what we get tonight may not melt till around lunch time tomorrow.” 

Daniel said all county agencies are doing their best to prepare for the weather.

“The ambulance service, fire department, and all first responders are checking all their trucks and making sure they are all fueled up,” she said. “They want everything to be in good-working order. They also check to make sure they have all the supplies they might need and they get extra supplies as well.” 

Daniel said road crews have a plan of attack worked out, too. 

“The county Highway Department gets all their trucks ready,” she said. “They load all of the salt and other supplies they need to put out on the roads, and they make sure they have the graters and everything to scrape the roads in good-running order.” 

Daniel also explained how residents of the county can make sure they are weather-ready.  

“The most important thing is to stay alert,” she said. “Everyone needs to monitor the radio stations and newspapers, looking for warnings and advisories that are issued.”The Post will be updating the weather situation throughout the afternoon and evening at its Facebook page and via Twitter. 

Daniel said it’s not too late to stock up on a few necessities. 

“For instance, a battery-operated radio, batteries for radios and flashlights in case the power goes out” are all good ideas, she said, along with “some non-perishable food, things for sandwiches, milk and bread, of course.” 

Daniel also said people should remember their pets, and stock up a three-day supply of any prescription medications or baby items, such as food and diapers. 

“Also, if you have elderly members of your family, make sure and check on them during these harsh weather conditions,” she said. 

For more information on the weather forecast Daniel also suggested helpful references online, including a Birmingham-area website at www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx.