American Red Cross officials throughout our nation prepare to respond to the destructive winter storm that is bearing down on our country.

Mary Moreillon, Regional Executive Director, states, "Those of us who live in the South may not be at a direct risk of this weather front, however the impact of recent local snowstorms are still fresh on our minds.  We take this opportunity to highlight the work being done across the country to help other communities remain safe. Now is the time for our residents to take action to ensure their families are prepared for home fires and other disasters.

The recent winter weather has impacted blood collections in our area. The freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in more than 470 units of blood that could not be collected due to blood donation center closures, cancelled blood drives and the inability of donors to attend blood drives.

Donors are encouraged to donate as soon as possible after conditions have improved enough to allow for safe travel. There is a special need for type O and type B blood donors.

Former WAFF 48 News reporter Susie Edwards lost her battle to liver cancer and has passed away.

The 34-year-old was at her home in Rainbow city with her mother and a hospice nurse when she died at 2:00 a.m.

The Gadsden native worked several years in the Huntsville TV market.  She left the Rocket City in 2007 to move to Louisiana to work at WWL in New Orleans. 

Shortly before Thanksgiving in 2009, she experienced intense pain in her left shoulder and chest that felt like a heart attack.