CULLMAN COUNTY - AL -
Drivers in Cullman County had a really tough time getting anywhere due to icy road conditions Thursday night.
More than 100 people spent the night at the Cullman Civic Center. 107 stranded travelers to be exact.
Dawn Hoots and her friend Beth Lecuyer were coming from Diamondhead, Mississippi on their way Franklin, Tennessee when they hit a roadblock near Cullman.
"We were stuck in traffic, for about five and a half hours off and on," says Hoots.
"We could see black ice, that was a little scary," Lecuyer said.
Icy conditions forced the closure of I-65 at exit 308. Soon, Lecuyer and Hoots found themselves with no where to go.
They were told about a Red Cross shelter at the Cullman Civic Center.
"(Red Cross) set up really quickly and then (stranded drivers) came through all night long," recalls Lecuyer.
Kelly Allen, assistant EMA director for Cullman County says several agencies worked throughout the night and into the morning, to ensure people's safety.
"We had talked with the public officials, and we was in constant contact with the state troopers office, our medical personnel, local law enforcement," said Allen. "We were ready to maneuver people however we needed to, to get traffic off the interstate."
Lecuyer and Hoots say are thankful to have made it through the night.
They got back on the road Friday morning.
"We are just so grateful, everyone was so gracious and warm. We met friends that we will probably not forget for the rest of our lives," said Hoots.
