Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Many area residents are on or heading to the beaches of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle over the long holiday weekend. Many are watching deadly Hurricane Beryle with caution as it moves across the Caribbean and into the southern Gulf of Mexico. There is good news and bad news about the Category 4 tropical system.
The good news is that Beryle will not directly impact the states along the central Gulf Coast. The bad news is that there will be indirect impacts to water safety. The threat of dangerous surf rip currents will be high throughout the weekend and into early next week.
Eight people have already died because they failed to heed red flag and rip current warnings on the Gulf Coast. A rip current is a strong, narrow channel of water that flows away from shore on surf beaches, according to the United States Lifesaving Association. They typically form on sandbars and near structures like piers and jetties. They don’t have to be fatal if you know what to do (click the link above for safety tips).
Locally, heat will be the main weather issue: West Alabama is expected to see worrisome heat index values of up to 108.
Read more: Weather, Rain, Temperature and Heat Index Guide for July 4 in West Alabama
The forecast:
Today
After 4 p.m. there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, high around 96. Heat index values as high as 106. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
There is a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, becoming light south in the evening.
independence Day
After 1 p.m. there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, high around 95. Heat index values as high as 106. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday night celebration on the river
Before 1 a.m. there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph, decreasing.
Friday
Showers and thunderstorms, especially after 1 p.m. High around 93. Calm, southwest wind around 5 mph in the morning. 80% chance of precipitation.
Friday night
50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74°F.
Top News:
Two wildfires in Lamar County are among nine currently raging in northern Alabama as the area remains unusually dry. A downed power line sparked a 44-acre blaze north of Vernon. A 5-acre wildfire is also burning near Kennedy in southern Lamar County. Volunteer firefighters and Forest Service firefighters continue to battle the flames.
A funeral service for 21-year-old Lacy Whitson will be held at 11 a.m. this morning in the chapel of the Nelson Funeral Home in Fayette. Her body was found Saturday behind the home of Michael Wade Tucker, who has been charged with her murder.
Whitson was last seen alive with Tucker. Her identity was confirmed by state forensics.
ALEA Trooper Reginal King warns motorists and boaters that, along with speed and inattention, one of the leading causes of death during each long Independence Day is alcohol on the road or on the water.
King says police will be out in force on the streets, lakes and rivers through Sunday night to keep everyone safe.
The City of Tuscaloosa is hosting an Independence Day riverfront celebration tomorrow evening from 6-9 p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.
Schedule of activities:
18:00 – 19:45 Kid Zone (with games and activities for all ages)
18:00 – 19:50 DJ Tank performance
19:55 – 20:55 Performance by the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra
21 clock Fireworks begin after brief remarks by Mayor Walt Maddox
For event updates and weather alerts, text “TUSC4TH” to 888-777. For more information, visit Tuscaloosa.com/COTR.
If you’re hitting the road over the long holiday weekend, you’re in luck: The statewide average price for a gallon of gas has only increased 2 cents over the past week. In Alabama, the news isn’t quite as good: Pump prices are up 6 cents from last week. In West Alabama, the lowest average price is $3.12, up 8 cents from a week ago, and the lowest price at the pump in the region is $2.95.
Blood supply shortages are common in the summer and DCH Health System is trying to address this problem.
Today, DCH is hosting a LifeSouth blood drive between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Willard Auditorium at DCH Regional Medical Center to help meet the need. Community members are encouraged to participate by entering the hospital through the south lobby entrance and following signs to the auditorium.
Anyone who donates or attempts to donate will receive a voucher redeemable for a pint of ice cream at the Patio Grille and Café.
Top sports news:
Individual tickets for the Alabama football game go on sale next Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. But don’t get too excited, the only SEC game that still has tickets available is the Tide-Missouri game on October 26th.
- Western Kentucky (August 31)
- USF (September 7) and
- Mercer (November 16)
Tickets for Western Kentucky and Mercer are $25 in the upper deck, while South Florida is $45. Alabama’s game against Missouri is $90 in the upper deck. It will also serve as Alabama’s home game.
Tickets are available at RollTide.com.
Read more: Single tickets for Alabama games soon on sale
The new UA Athletics Intercollegiate Golf Facility is scheduled to open later this month.
The $47,750,000, 176-acre golf training facility is located on Kicker Road, south of Jack Warner Parkway and west of 25th Avenue NE. It consists of five buildings, including a garage, golf house and nine-hole golf course.
The facility will be home to the UA men’s and women’s golf teams, both of which have won NCAA golf championships and brought golfers into the professional golf scene.
I hope you have a happy and safe Fourth of July. There will be an Independence Day meeting tomorrow.
