The big thaw is on in Escambia County.

After two days of freezing temperatures and ice on the ground, traffic started moving again Thursday afternoon and businesses reopened.

Brewton City Clerk John Angel said he does not think the closure of businesses would affect sales or sales tax revenue.

“We’ll absorb a day,” Angel said. “People are active again.”

Brewton City and Escambia County schools will be back in session Friday, as will Jefferson Davis Community College, and the courthouse will reopen. Schools have been out for three days this week, but state school officials said that because the governor called a state of emergency, students will not have to make up the days.

Elsewhere in Alabama, other counties are also thawing out, although perhaps not as quickly. Covington County officials said roads will not reopen Thursday night; officials will re-evaluate them mid-morning Friday.