Emergency crews keep close eye on Christmas Day storm threat

CLARKE COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - One of the areas that could face a big threat on Christmas is Clarke County.

Emergency officials there have already been preparing for this storm days in advance.

And they'll be keeping a close eye on the system on Christmas.

Clarke County is prepared for many possible scenarios.

It may be Christmas, but that doesn't give them a day off.

Clarke County EMA Director Roy Waite said, "With this being a holiday weekend, you have a lot of people off so we tried to start a little bit early."

Waite started working two days ago, notifying locals of the weather threat and getting emergency equipment in place.

Some vehicles will be put in storage for protection.

"We have some other stuff that are kinda pre-positioned throughout the county. So if we need to respond from different areas then we'll be able to do that."

The Emergency Management Center will have limited staff here in the morning monitoring the weather.

He said, “We’ll have others that’ll be on standby if we need to activate to a higher level. If we start seeing a lot of damage and that type thing, then we’ll increase the number of people that are in here.”

Waite encourages locals to be prepared and check the batteries on your weather radios if you have one.

Waite also encourages drivers to avoid the local roads if possible during the severe storms.