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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama authorities have announced that five people are dead and at least 23 injured as a result of the winter storm that stunned much of the state Tuesday.

People in the Birmingham area and much of Alabama awoke Wednesday to deal with the aftermath of a storm that surprised many -- including some weather forecasters -- with its intensity and rapid approach.

[Read our live updates from the first day of the storm.]

And many people, some of whom have been stranded at work or school or even in their vehicles, are still trying to get home. Others are taking to the road to retrieve their vehicles, despite warnings against venturing out.

Most schools and many businesses in the Birmingham area were closed today. Courthouses, libraries and many businesses won't open today around north central Alabama as residents and government crews try to restore order.

11:42 p.m. Cautious commutes urged on Thursday as central Alabama road ice refreezes (list)

10:59 p.m. Hide-and-seek and a 'never-ending game of Monopoly': Snow days at Alabama School of Fine Arts

9:45 p.m. Cars abandoned, towed in snow in Leeds: Sen. Blackwell says legislative delegation working on solution

9:42 p.m. The Levite Jewish Community Center and the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center will be closed Thursday. The facility has served as a shelter for 60 people and will need time to get back into operating order.

9:06 p.m. Leeds Mayor says state will reimburse cost of towing, governor's office says not true

9:02 p.m. Alabama State Troopers and the National Guard are moving abandoned cars in the Birmingham areas to the shoulders of roads, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

"We will continue the response to this emergency until all life safety missions are complete and the incident has been stabilized," Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner said in a news release. "Drivers must continue to use extreme caution as roads remain extremely hazardous. Please do not drive tonight unless absolutely necessary."

8:44 p.m. The Hoover Fire Department and a stranded doctor set up a makeshift emergency room at Green Valley Baptist Church Tuesday night.

8:19 p.m. Leeds Mayor David Miller says the state will reimburse the cost of towing cars abandoned on roads.

8:17 p.m. It'll be another cold night, but temperatures should get into the 40s Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

8:10 p.m. Roads in Chilton County will open at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to The Clanton Advertiser.

8 p.m. Some stranded motorists are calling Gadsden's Hampton Inn home until roads clear up.

7:56 p.m. Most city operations and schools will be closed Thursday in Hoover.

7:32 p.m. Leeds Mayor David Miller says the city can't foot the bill for towing cars left on roadways.

7:15 p.m. Regions Bank branches in the Birmingham area, Tuscaloosa and Anniston will be closed Thursday.

6:59 p.m. Birmingham fire crews had to battle weather and road conditions as they battled fires Wednesday.

6:50 p.m.

Several roads in Pelham remain closed Wednesday night and many streets are expected to re-freeze. These roads are closed, according to Pelham police:

6:44 p.m. All students in Jefferson County schools, including one special needs student from the Burkett Learning Center in Morris, have been reunited with their families, according to sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Christian. Deputies took the students home in vehicles with four-wheel drive or snow chains.

6:32 p.m. In Tuscaloosa, the sheriff's office used its helicopter to track suspects in the theft of an all-terrain vehicle along icy roads.

6:22 p.m. Winter storm shutdown to continue through Thursday in Hoover

6:20 p.m. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley visits Glen Iris Elementary, thanks teachers for caring for stranded students (photos)

6:13 p.m. 'Kelly, is that you?' Man who found missing Vestavia Good Samaritan describes rescue of Kelly Garner

6:00 p.m. Bessemer City Hall will reopen tomorrow at 11 a.m., according to Toraine Norris, the mayor's assistant.

5:51 p.m. Classes at UAB and clinics will be closed Thursday. The hospital will be open. Staff and students can continue to use the recreation center as a shelter. Birmingham Public Libraries will also be closed, and the reopening of the Pratt City branch has been rescheduled for Feb. 6.

5:37 p.m. Cars left abandoned on surface streets in Leeds towed, owners charged a fee

5:36 p.m. Jefferson County facilities will be closed Thursday. That includes Cooper Green Mercy Health Services. Facilities are expected to reopen Friday. Thursday's Commission meeting has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at the Bessemer Justice Center.

5:27 p.m. Doctor walks six miles in snow to perform life-saving brain surgery at Trinity Medical Center

5:20 p.m. All students who were stranded at Vestavia Hills schools have been reunited with their families, according to police.

5:04 p.m. State courts in Jefferson County -- both the Birmingham and Bessemer divisions -- will remain closed Thursday. They will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

5:01 p.m.

A man who has been helping clear cars on U.S. Highway 280 told AL.com the roadway is mostly clear from Hollywood Boulevard to Shades Creek Parkway, and on the westbound side of the highway (toward downtown Birmingham) the leftmost lane has the best traction.

4:58 p.m.

Only about 100 Alabama Power customers were without service because of weather at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, but more outages could happen because of equipment failures or freezing temperatures overnight, spokesman Isaac Pigott said. If your power goes out, call 1-800-888-2726 or visit

.

4:51 p.m. The Cleburne County EMA has issued a curfew for non-essential travel from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. It's still OK to drive to work, for medical services or for other necessary tasks.

4:48 p.m. LifeSouth issues call for blood donors after bad weather disrupts collections, creates shortfall. For more information, call 205-943-6000 or go to www.lifesouth.org.

4:33 p.m.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies are working to get students from county schools home or with their families. At 3:45 p.m. there were 63 students still stranded at schools, with 40 at Clay-Chalkville Middle School, 15 at Gresham Elementary, seven at Clay Elementary, and one at Erwin Middle, according to the sheriff's office. All of them are expected to be home tonight.

3:59 p.m. The final count: 11,375 students spent the night at school Tuesday; 1,686 remain. Most of those left are in Hoover schools.

3:54 p.m. The St. Clair County EMA urges drivers not to travel on Highway 231 or Highway 174 and other secondary roads as ALDOT has focused sanding operations on the interstates.

3:50 p.m. Chilton County Schools will remain closed Thursday.

3:44 p.m. Birmingham Mayor William Bell warns of scammers illegally towing cars, claiming authority from city or state

3:41 p.m. Cullman City Schools will be open at normal hours Thursday.

3:40 p.m. Walker County Schools will open at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, with buses running at 10:30 a.m. Jasper City Schools will be open at regular hours Thursday.

3:37 p.m. Snow storm scuttles Demolition Derby Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at Lakeshore Foundation

3:31 p.m. Gov. Robert Bentley is speaking at Glen Iris Elementary School. Check here for live updates.

3:29 p.m.: Mayor William Bell searching for crystal ball to predict future storms

3:25 p.m. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is advising people with lost or damaged property because of the storm to report it on their website. This is not for reports of criminal activity.

3:09 p.m. Cabin fever? Stranded downtown? Here's a list of Birmingham bars and restaurants open in the snow

2:55 p.m. Miles College in Fairfield will be closed Thursday because of inclement weather. The men's and women's basketball games between Miles College and Tuskegee have also been postponed.

2:29 p.m. Mayor William Bell gives an update on Birmingham's progress in the storm's wake.

2:15 p.m. Samford University will be closed Thursday.

2:14 p.m.

Brookwood Baptist Church on Overton Road will remain open tonight for those who need somewhere to spend the night.

2:12 p.m.

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, roads and bridges will be worse tonight than on Tuesday. All motorists are encouraged to stay off the roads, leaving them accessible for emergency personnel. Even though some ice is melting, the roads will refreeze after dark as the temperature continues to drop.

2:07 p.m. Aerial photos capture chaos on Birmingham's frozen roads in winter storm (photos)

2:05 p.m. Thursday classes at both UAB and Jefferson State Community College have been canceled.

2:02 p.m. Vestavia Hills police are strongly advising motorists to avoid Highway 31 heading to Brookwood Hospital and into Vestavia. Authorities say the condition of roads are rapidly growing more icy.

1:44 p.m. "They were like angels:" Churches house stranded students, motorists

1:41 p.m. Hoover public safety workers are taking motorists who were stranded on I-65 in the city and transporting them back to their vehicles. Many roads in the area have been sanded.

1:14 p.m. About 3,000 students remain stranded in schools statewide, the majority in the Birmingham-Metro area. The state superintendent hopes to get all students home this afternoon, but he acknowledges that might not be a possibility in some rural areas.

1:08 p.m. Better prepared next time: What you should keep in your car in case of (another) emergency (with video)

1:04 p.m. Mountain Brook roads remain dangerous, and the city manager recommends that residents stay home if possible. Schools will be closed Thursday.

12:55 p.m. How bad was the storm? Using the Waffle House Index as a measure, it was bad, real bad

12:35 p.m. The snow and ice storm has delayed the Jefferson County Commission's vote on whether to distribute $21.3 million to schools. The vote will take place Friday.

12:30 p.m.

12:16 p.m. Wondering how the weather forecasters got things so wrong? See an explanation from forecasters here. Also, meteorologist James Spann has apologized for his forecast 'bust.'

11:56 a.m.

11:53 a.m.

Gov. Robert Bentley announced that he will hold a 3:30 news conference at Glen Iris Elementary School in Birmingham. He will provide updates on statewide winter weather conditions and response.

11:49 a.m. Highway 280 Chick-fil-A took opportunity to help, gave food to drivers, others stranded in snow

11:38 a.m. More schools throughout central Alabama have announced that they will be closed Thursday.

11:25 a.m. Hoover City Schools officials estimate that about 4,000 students and 350 adults were stuck at school last night, and many of them remain there today.

11:18 a.m.

Nearly all flights into and out of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Several incoming flights have been diverted, and only two of the remaining arrivals are still scheduled. Three departing flights are still scheduled.

11:10 a.m. Homewood authorities responded to more than 1,100 calls for service last night, and more than 100 students and faculty remain at city schools.

11:07 a.m. Looking for specifics on how the surprise snow storm has affected Alabama? Here's a by-the-numbers look at fatalities, injuries, shelters, stranded schoolkids and more.

10:55 a.m. Check out photos of snow-covered stadiums and ballparks throughout Alabama.

10:40 a.m. Pelham High School coach and teacher Scott Blair was found after being reported missing by his family. He had not been heard from since about 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

10:32 a.m. Read what national outlets are reporting about Alabama's surprise winter storm.

10:28 a.m. Hundreds of students, teachers and school staff members remain stranded throughout the Birmingham area. For many, it is still unclear whether they will have to stay at the schools through the afternoon or even another night.

10:17 a.m. According to a situation report released by Gov. Bentley, five casualties (one in Perry County, two in Elmore County and two in Tuscaloosa County) and 23 injuries have been reported in Alabama.

10:08 a.m.

A semi-truck driver who has been stuck on U.S. 231 since about noon Tuesday says police and road assistance have not yet arrived. Vonda Hendricks is about 8 miles from I-20.

"

We need to get to facilities some low on fuel and other things," Hendricks said. "Locals doing what they can. We appreciate some feedback from officials. I drive a semi can't get up hill icy."

10:03 a.m. It's not over yet: How to protect yourself and your property in the winter storm's aftermath

10:01 a.m.

Alabama State Troopers strongly recommend people stay off roadways - unless it is an emergency, Sgt. Steve Jarrett said. "It is just too risky, and first responders may be unable to reach them if they require assistance. In addition, motorists may hinder rescue and roadway-sanding efforts."

9:54 a.m. Several central Alabama schools have already made a judgment call and announced closings or delays for Thursday. See the list here.

9:52 a.m. Ditched your car on the interstate? You're not alone and you're not in trouble, police say

9:39 a.m.

Birmingham police responded to 189 car wrecks between 11 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards said. The department fielded 282 calls for service in the same time period. One dispatcher sent medics to retrieve a woman who was going into labor , but the emergency vehicle crashed on the way.

"Our dispatcher... kept Ms. (Darshay) Jones calm and coached her until the medics got on the line and helped coach the birth of Ms. Jones baby via the telephone. Kudos to our 911 operator," Edwards said.

9:35 a.m. Ghost streets of Birmingham: After snow, abandoned cars line otherwise empty roads

9:29 a.m. Kelly Garner, the Good Samaritan who went missing in Vestavia Hills, has been found alive in a ravine behind a local library. He was taken to St. Vincent's hospital for treatment.

9:25 a.m. Will insurance pay for my car's snow-related damage? Probably, agent says, but caution still needed

9:07 a.m. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has lifted the order shutting down the city's streets, but officials urge extreme caution if driving is necessary.

9:01 a.m. Many people in the Birmingham area have questions about road conditions, school information and more. We're answering your questions in this Q&A post. Please write any further questions you have in the comments section, and we'll do our best to find what you're looking for.

8:32 a.m. Columnist John Archibald weighs in: Blame James Spann, or marvel at the human spirit?

8:18 a.m.

Regional road officials, law enforcement and emergency managers continues to

as temperatures remain below freezing through the day.

Road treatment operations are underway.

8:08 a.m. A new power outage in south Mobile, affecting some 9,600 customers, drove the total number of Alabama Power Co. outages statewide to 13,600 as of 8 a.m. The company said that it continues to work on a large outage in the Wiregrass area of southeast Alabama, where service had been restored to 1,000 of the 5,000 customers who lost power. Customers with outages can report them at alabamapower.com or by calling 800-888-2726.

8:02 a.m. Stranded at Birmingham area schools, teachers and students do what it takes to make it through the night

7:33 a.m. In Connecting Alabama, Chuck Dean notes that this storm reminds us all that, despite our technology and seeming ability to predict the weather, the experts still can get it wrong.

7:18 a.m.

All flights scheduled in and out of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport through 10 a.m. have been canceled. The airport's website shows that later flights are still scheduled.

7:09 a.m. Police on missing Good Samaritan in Vestavia Hills: "He just disappeared."

7:06 a.m. Birmingham police checked all interstates in the city limits and did not find any stranded motorists, Chief A.C. Roper said. If anyone remains stranded or has become stranded recently, they can contact BPD.

7:03 a.m. The Arctic blast that sent below freezing temperatures, snow and sleet across the Southeast is being blamed for four deaths in a Mississippi mobile home fire, as nine people huddled together for warmth.

7 a.m. In case you missed the announcement, the Alabama-Auburn basketball game has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday because of weather.

6:50 a.m. A group called Stranded Motorists Help Jan. 28, 2014 is bringing together people who need help or want to help in and around Birmingham. Information is available on a publicly available Google spreadsheet listing a stranded person or family trying to get home from the weather.

6:27 a.m.

While the Birmingham metro area took the brunt of the winter weather, no part of Alabama was spared. Ice coated roadways in southern Alabama and schools have canceled classes. The Wallace Tunnel , one of two running underneath Mobile Bay was closed as of early morning. With highs Wednesday predicted at around 35 degrees, officials warned that road conditions would be slow to improve.

6:18 a.m. Alabama Power reported that about 5,000 people remained without power, nearly all of them in the southeast part of the state. Only a handful of customers are without power in metro Birmingham, the Anniston area and Tuscaloosa.

6:10 a.m. The Homewood Police Department reports that it answered over 1,100 calls for help last night. About 150 people were picked up and taken to warming stations in the area.

6:04 a.m. St. Clair County emergency management officials say that one lane of Interstate 20 westbound at Chula Vista (Exit 153) has reopened. A wreck there yesterday involving multiple tractor-trailer rigs has been partly to blame for the gridlock on I-20.

5:54 a.m. Alabama Power Co.'s most recent estimate indicates that 8,400 customers are without power -- 5,000 in southeast Alabama around Eufaula, Geneva and Abbeville, another 2,500 in and around Tuscaloosa and about 900 more in Bayou La Batre and Prichard, near Mobile. We expect an update within a few minutes.

5:39 a.m. Schools throughout the metro area will greet dawn with students already in place, as thousands of students sheltered in those facilities overnight. Gov. Robert Bentley late yesterday encouraged parents, saying that the same teachers who lead children during the day could be trusted to care for those children through the night.

4:47 a.m. Police made the rounds during the pre-dawn hours collecting motorists from roadsides. Warming centers, hotels and public buildings became way-stations.

Hoover police said some motorists who initially refused a lift to shelters decided to abandon their vehicles when given a second chance.

4:16 a.m. Meanwhile,

said that amusement turned to worry as gasoline dwindled, night fell and nature called.

3:17 a.m. The Alabama Department of Transportation warned motorists to stay off the road until at least noon, as icy conditions are anticipated.