More roads closed
Published 3:00 am Thursday, December 31, 2015
BY Michael Shipma:
The City of Troy added Smart Road to the list of closed roads on Wednesdays as more rain fell in a waterlogged Pike County.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, roads closed since last Thursday included the 400 block of First Avenue and Spradley Drive at Wilson Drive, along with the south end of Smart Road inside city jurisdiction.
The 22 county roads closed include, County Roads 2221; 2223 John Anderson Road; 2244; 2250; 2278; 2289; 2307; 2258; 2273; 3338 North; 3328; 4427; South; 4427 North; 4407; 4412; 6650; 6648; 6647; 6632 East; 6632 West; 7761; and 7718.
“The Pike County Road Department is utilizing all personnel to perform a countywide assessment of country roads,” Pike County EMA Director Jeanna Barnes said in a statement. “With additional severe weather forecast for this week, there is a real possibility of additional damages that may cause hazardous travel conditions. The Pike County Commission urges all citizens and anyone who may be traveling the Pike County.”
According to a graphic from the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Pike County received nearly seven inches of rain over a six-day period ending at 7 a.m. Wednesday, with more on the way. However, the graphic had some areas of southeast Pike County receiving as much as 12 inches. Barnes said the roads damaged due to heavy rains and washing could remain closed for several days.
“Road repairs may be a long process, as there has been extensive damage throughout the county,” she said. “It is very likely many of these roads will remain closed this week or longer.”
Barnes said Gov. Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency for the entire state, due to the flooding. Any residents or business owners who sustained damage due to rains or flooding contact the EMA.