On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Winter Storm Enzo brought record-breaking snowfall to the Southeast United States, halting operations and closing schools across the region. According to the National Weather Channel, Southern states from Texas and Louisiana to Florida and Virginia experienced historically low temperatures and snow.
Over the weekend, the National Weather Channel projected about an inch of snowfall in Lee County. At 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency announced Lee County snowfall may have a historic two to six inches.
The high of Wednesday for the Auburn and Opelika area will be 38 degrees, with the expected conditions being relatively sunny throughout the day. Chances for further snow is low on Wednesday.
Icy roads are expected to continue throughout Wednesday.
Since approximately 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Lee County Alabama Emergency Management Agency has been posting hourly updates on Facebook about impassable roads and closures. As of Tuesday, the agency declared that all Lee County roads are impassable until further notice.
Those who violate the notice may be subject to citation under Alabama Code Title 32, Chapter 5a, rules of the road. Travel for work is deemed necessary.
“Please help by staying off the roads so first responders/public safety personnel can carry out their crucial work,” stated the Lee County Alabama Emergency Management Agency in the Jan. 21 Facebook post. “Your cooperation helps us keep everyone safe and ensures that emergency services can respond quickly when needed.
Numerous roads in Auburn are barricaded, with driving around the barricades not recommended. All bridges in Opelika are currently closed and most roads are deemed impassable as of Wednesday.
Auburn Public Safety and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office encourage Lee County residents to stay off the roads, as emergency services respond to numerous accidents and calls.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 22, most roads are still considered icy, while some are blocked by accidents.
Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College closures
On Monday, Jan. 20, Auburn University Campus Safety and Security released a campus-wide announcement that the university would switch to remote operations for Tuesday, Jan. 21. The email cited light snow accumulation and dangerously low temperatures on- and off-campus as the reason.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Auburn University released a second announcement that remote operations will continue on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in light of the snow and cold temperatures.
Both emails state Auburn faculty “maintain full discretion regarding how their course content will be delivered to students during this time.” These options include integrating make-up work into future classes, remote instruction and university-designated make-up days.
According to the official website, Southern Union State Community College will also be switching to remote operations on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22. Southern Union students are encouraged to check Canvas to receive updates on instruction.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Auburn University released a third announcement that remote operations will continue on Thursday, Jan. 23. The university is expecting to return to on-campus operations at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 24.
All Southern Union campuses will delay opening until 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 due to possible refreezing of roads.
Other closures and rescheduling in the Auburn Opelika area
All Auburn city schools and all Opelika city schools will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and all after school activities are canceled too. Both school systems will also be closed on Thursday, Jan. 23, expecting to return on Friday, Jan. 24.
Both the Auburn and Opelika city councils were canceled on Jan. 21 and rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24. Opelika City Council begins at 2:30 p.m. and Auburn City Council begins at 6:00 p.m.
The city of Opelika plans to evaluate weather conditions on Wednesday morning and will share information regarding pick up if delayed.
Remaining garbage, trash and recycling pickup in Auburn will be delayed by an additional day this week, according to the city of Auburn Facebook page. Tuesday pickup will run on Thursday, Wednesday pickup will run on Friday and Thursday pickup will run on Saturday.
According to a Jan. 22 Facebook post by the city of Auburn, most city facilities are opening on Thursday, Jan. 23 with Auburn City Hall at 8 a.m., Auburn Public Library at 8:30 a.m. and all Auburn Parks and Recreation areas at 8 a.m.
Garbage, trash and recycling pickup in Auburn will also be delayed by two additional days.
"Please be patient as our crews work to catch up the weekly schedule as icy conditions continue on some roadways," stated the city of Auburn in the Jan. 22 Facebook announcement.
Auburn Athletics announced Tuesday evening that any camping out on Friday in anticipation for ESPN's College GameDay show on Saturday at the Neville Arena will not be permitted. Instead, the line for the student gate will open at 6:30 a.m. and the student gate will open at 7:00 a.m.
The show starts at 10 a.m., with the arena being cleared out following the show. On Saturday evening, the men's basketball team will face off against Tennessee. The line for students begins at 4:00 p.m. and doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Those that have lost power and are in need of warming centers in Auburn or the surrounding areas can find them in Auburn, Opelika and Loachapoka.
Warming centers in Opelika
Axe Marks the Spot and The Observer - 223 S 8th St.
Red Wolf School of Martial Arts - 2900 Wyndham Industrial Dr.
Warming centers in Auburn
Auburn University, Greene Hall - 1130 Wire Rd.
Auburn University, Ralph Brown Draughon library - 231 Mell St.
Warming centers in Loachapoka
Family Enrichment Center - 1 Day Lily St.
The Auburn Plainsman will continue to report on winter storms as developments are made.
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Michaela Yielding is a senior in journalism currently serving as the news editor. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall 2023.
