West Alabama Thursday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Thursday, March 13, 2025. This is the 72nd day of the year with 293 remaining.
Thursday Morning Observations:
The Severe Storms Prediction Center has bumped up the threat level for severe weather this weekend to a Moderate (4 in 5) Risk for severe storms and tornadoes Saturday. Don't let the word "moderate" mislead you, it has nothing to do with the political term of avoiding extremes or restraint.
In the meteorological sense a Moderate Risk area is issued when a widespread severe storm or tornado outbreak is expected. Threats to areas in a Moderate Risk typically include: The likelihood of tornadoes, often strong and/or long-lasting. Frequent lightning. Damaging winds, often in excess of 70 mph. That is the case for all of West Alabama Saturday.
ABC3340 Chief Meteorologist James Spann advises those who would like to relate Saturday's potential severe weather outbreak with previous severe weather events to think of September 11, 2000, here in Tuscaloosa. That is the day a destructive tornado outbreak hit the Southeastern United States, from Mississippi to North Carolina. It included an EF-4 that left destruction across south Tuscaloosa. 11 people died in the Druid City that day and some 180 others were injured.
More than 40 houses and 70 mobile homes were completely destroyed that day, with hundreds more seriously damaged. $14 million is destruction was left behind by the long-track tornado
I don't write that to scare you but rather to convince you to prepare for high winds, large hail, long-track destructive tornadoes and potential flash flooding. You can also expect potential power outages across the area.
The National Weather Service provides this video reminding you what actions to take when a Tornado Warning is issued.
The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore describes in this video what each stage of the Fujita Scale describing tornado damage means.
Take precautions NOW to be prepared.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
Today: There is a Moderate (1 in 5) Risk until 7:00pm today for strong storms with 60mph winds and golf balls size hail.
Friday: The threat level increases Friday 10:00pm until 8:00am Saturday for most of West Alabama which will be under an Elevated (3 in 5) Risk for tornadoes, damaging wind to 60mph and quarter size hail.
Saturday: All of West Central Alabama is under that Moderate (4 in 5) Risk for strong tornadoes up to level 4 with 70mph wind gusts and golf ball size hail.
Read More: Extreme Severe Weather Risk in Alabama: Tornadoes, Hail, & Damaging Winds
The Forecast:
The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority has officially released a statement following a recent shooting at the Bobby Miller Center just off 69 south Tuesday. It stated that PARA works to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all members, patrons, and the community. We continue to collaborate with law enforcement and city officials to increase security resources and preparedness across our facilities."
The victim in that shooting is in stable but serious condition.
Read More: PARA Releases Statement After Bobby Miller Center Shooting
Tuscaloosa Council District 1 Runoff Absentee Ballots Are Available
The runoff between District 1 Tuscaloosa City Council incumbent Matthew Wilson and challenger Joe Eatmon is underway and now absentee ballots for the race are available. The City Clerk's Office provided the below information on absentee voting:
- Paper absentee ballot applications can be obtained in the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall 2201 University Blvd.
- Voters can vote absentee through the mail or in person at the Office of the City Clerk.
- Last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot: Thursday, March 27th at 4:30 p.m.
- Last day a voter can apply for and vote an emergency absentee ballot: Monday, March 31st
- MAILED absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, March 31st and received by noon on Tuesday, April 1st.
- HAND DELIVERED absentee ballots can be delivered to the Office of the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 31st.
- Click HERE for an Absentee Ballot Application.
There is one polling place for in-person balloting located at the (TDOT) Building Auditorium on 1100 28th Avenue.
Runoff Election Day is April 1st.
ALDOT to Sponsors Public Meeting to Highlight Cottondale Roadwork
The Alabama Department of Transportation will host a come-and-go public briefing on a potential road project coming to the Cottondale community along SR-215, also known as University Boulevard. The meeting about work to improve traffic flow and safety will take place on Tuesday, March 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Church of Judah International. Members of the public can ask questions and view exhibits about the project.
Read More: ALDOT To Host Public Meeting for SR-215 in Cottondale
Kentuck Taking Applications for October Festival
Kentuck is a nationally known arts festival that draws artisans and the public from all over the country each October. For the second straight year the festival will be located in Tuscaloosa. This year's Kentuck Festival of the Arts will take place October 11-12, 2025, rain or shine, in Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa, AL.
The festival is now accepting applications for artisans to display. See the link below for further information.
Read More: Exhibit your artwork at the 54th Kentuck Festival of the Arts
Alabama U.S. Senators to Vote for Continuing Budget Resolution
The battle for a continuing resolution to keep a federal government shutdown from happening tomorrow night is in the Senate after passing the house. Alabama Senior Senator Tommy Tuberville has told reporters he doesn’t like the spending but will vote for the CR. The state's other Republican Senator, Katie Britt, has indicated she will also vote for the budget continuance.
Tuberville told Fox Business Network that shutting down the government will not resolve any issues but would create more.
Rep. Sewell Wants to Protect National History
West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell has joined with 2nd District Democrat Congressman Shomari C. Figures to introduce the Civil Rights Landmarks Protection Act in the U.S. House. The act prohibits the sale of all federally owned landmarks listed on the national register of historic places.
The historic Montgomery Greyhound Station, which is a major civil rights landmark, had originally been on the sale list developed by Elon Musk's DOGE. Sen. Katie Britt announced it has been taken off that list.
Rep. Aderholt & Sen. Tuberville Seek to Join Indoctrination Lawsuit
West Alabama Republican Congressman Robert Aderholt is leading the effort in the house and Sen. Tommy Tuberville in the upper chamber to support parents who have filed a lawsuit against a Maryland school district. The suit claims the school system is indoctrinating children in gender and sexuality against their parents’ religious convictions.
A lower court ruling against the parents is being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ivey Wants to Know How Trump Tariffs Will Impact Alabama Auto Plants
Gov. kay Ivey has met with representatives of The Alliance for Automotive Information to learn how tariff's instituted by the Trump Administration might impact Alabama's massive auto industry.
The alliance represents Mercedes-Benz and the state's four other major auto plants.
The Wall Street Journal reports the tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase auto costs significantly.
John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, told AL.com the new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will raise prices by a similar amount and will reduce product availability.
The auto industry in the state is not the only one to suffer. Lumber and produce from Alabama has been targeted by the European Union for significant tariff retaliation.
Topping Sports News:
Bama's Friday SEC Opponent Possibility Narrowed Down
The 4th Seeded Alabama Men's basketball team will face either #6 Seed Kentucky or 14th Seed Oklahoma tomorrow night in the Quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Basketball Tournament.
The Sooners knocked out 11th Seed Georgia 81-75 in an upset last night in Nashville. The Wildcats earned a first-round bye. The two teams will face each other in the final game of the day in the second round tonight.
The Crimson Tide defeated the always dangerous Wildcats twice during the regular season, once on the road and again at Coleman Coliseum. UA knocked off OU in their lone regular season match at Coleman.
Tide Football to Get Visit From #1 2026 Prospect
Brandon Arrington, the top athlete in the 2026 class, has scheduled several visits for the upcoming summer. Alabama is among the schools on his list, and the 5-star cornerback/wide receiver is expected to visit Tuscaloosa from June 13-15.
Read More: 2026 No.1 CB Set to Return to Tuscaloosa This June for Official Visit
Tide Swimming and Diving Off to NCAAs
From UA Athletics: The Alabama men's swimming and diving team will have 10 individuals represent the Crimson Tide at the Men's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the NCAA announced Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide will have five swimmers and one diver compete in individual events, plus an additional four swimmers who will serve as alternates for the team's four qualified relays. Qualified individuals will have the ability to compete in additional events at the meet.
The NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships will be held March 26-29 in Federal Way, Wash.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a thrilling Thursday and keeping paying attention to potential changing weather conditions.