Cullman County EMA

*****The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Southern Cullman County in north central Alabama... * Until 800 PM CDT. * At 500 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Hanceville, Good Hope, Dodge City, Garden City, Colony, Bremen, Black Bottom, Smith Lake, Arkadelphia, Wilburn and Walter.

Early Sunday morning, Cullman County EMA was honored to assist multiple agencies during a large commercial fire at River Valley Ingredients.

Incidents of this magnitude require a tremendous team effort, and we want to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, industry personnel, and volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the event. Their professionalism, dedication, and coordination were instrumental in bringing the situation under control and protecting both lives and property.

We are grateful for the strong partnerships that exist throughout Cullman County and beyond with our neighboring counties. When emergencies happen, it is the collective effort of many organizations and individuals that makes a difference.

Thank you to everyone who responded, supported operations, provided resources, and assisted behind the scenes. Your commitment to serving our communities does not go unnoticed.

Great work by all involved.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day marked a pivotal moment in World War II as Allied forces launched a massive invasion of N**i-occupied Europe. This operation, known as Operation Overlord, involved a complex and perilous assault involving thousands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen. The challenges faced by the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy were immense, shaped by both the geography of the terrain and the fierce resistance from German forces.

A Harrowing Experience

Upon landing, Allied troops faced brutal gunfire from well-fortified German emplacements overlooking the beaches. Soldiers were met with a barrage of bullets, artillery shells, and mortars that caused immediate and severe casualties.

The beaches were heavily fortified with obstacles designed to impede the landing forces. These included:

Wooden Stakes Designed to hinder landing craft and troops.

Metal Tripods: Used to create barriers against advancing soldiers.

Barbed Wire Further complicated the advance, making movement perilous.

The work of clearing these obstacles fell to specialized beach-clearing teams, who operated under heavy fire, making their tasks incredibly dangerous and stressful.

The Beaches: Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword

Omaha Beach saw the highest number of casualties, primarily due to its steep cliffs and the concentrated German defenses. Soldiers faced an almost insurmountable challenge as they attempted to secure a foothold.

Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches At these locations, the fighting was intense, with Allied forces engaging in house-to-house combat in several fortified towns. Notably:

At Gold Beach, two major German gun emplacements were neutralized using specialized tanks designed for breaching defenses.

By the end of D-Day, the Allies had successfully established beachheads at all five landing sites—Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword. However, the battle was far from over:

Key towns like Carentan, Saint-Lô, and Bayeux remained under German control, complicating the Allies' advance. The significant objective of Caen was not captured until July 21.

Only Juno and Gold were linked on the first day, and it wasn't until June 12 that all five beachheads were interconnected.

The human cost of D-Day was staggering:

An estimated 10,000 Allied troops were casualties on that day, with 4,414 confirmed dead.

Estimates suggest that German losses were between 4,000 and 9,000 men.

D-Day was not only a testament to military strategy and planning but also to the courage and resilience of the soldiers involved. The sacrifices made on that day paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe from N**i control, shaping the course of the war in favor of the Allies. The bravery and endurance of those men under such dire circumstances remain a powerful reminder of the costs of war and the fight for freedom.

Reflecting on D-Day, it’s crucial to remember the individual stories and sacrifices behind the statistics. Each soldier's experience contributed to a pivotal moment in history, reminding us of the valor displayed in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The cost of FREEDOM!

Need a ride across Cullman County? 🚐

Did you know that Cullman Area Rural Transportation System CARTS offers affordable transportation for shopping, medical appointments, work, and other daily needs right here in our community?

Current fare rates:
• Up to 7 miles — $2
• 7–15 miles — $4
• Over 15 miles — $6
Senior adults and individuals with disabilities may qualify for reduced fares.

Serving Cullman County
📞 256-734-1246
🕒 Monday–Friday | 6:30 AM–4:00 PM

Transportation access changes lives especially for medical care, employment, and everyday independence.🤍

Learn more: https://www.co.cullman.al.us/carts.html

While outdoor warning sirens are a valuable tool, they are NOT designed to be heard inside homes, businesses, or other buildings. That is why we strongly encourage everyone to have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and weather warnings.

One of the easiest ways is through the Cullman County EMA app. Simply search "Cullman County EMA" in your app store to download our FREE app, which provides emergency alerts, weather information, and access to our new NOAA Weather Radio broadcast feature.

Cullman County residents can also sign up for Everbridge, our emergency notification system. Everbridge allows you to customize how you receive alerts, including text messages, phone calls, emails, and app notifications. Just download the Everbridge app and search for your ZIP code to get started.

Don't rely on a single source for warnings. Having multiple ways to receive alerts can make all the difference when severe weather or other emergencies occur.

https://veoci.com/v/p/form/hqu5mbw6ga5t

Click the link to tell us if you heard the siren test today.

Did you hear a Tornado Siren? - Veoci Veoci leads the way in software solutions for crisis management, emergency response, and business continuity - configured to how your teams and organization work.

REMINDER: We will be conducting our monthly siren test this morning at 9:00am.

SANITATION DELAY: Due to multiple road closures and hazardous travel conditions across the county this afternoon, Cullman County Sanitation was unable to complete its regular collection routes because of the severe weather.

If your pickup was missed, please leave your trash cans at the roadside. Sanitation crews will resume collection efforts tomorrow morning and complete the affected routes as conditions allow.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews work to safely complete their routes following today's storms.

Our south camera is capturing mean clouds looming over the Dodge City area. Please remain vigilant as this storm progresses. The ground is already saturated, and with the strong winds, it won't take much to uproot century-old trees.

Cullman County has been placed under a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 2:15pm.