“State of Emergency” in Effect for Weekend Impact From Isaias
With Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to make landfall along the Alabama Gulf Coast early Saturday morning and move northward across the state during the day, Gov. Kay Ivey has declared an official State of Emergency. It covers 40 of Alabama's 67 counties.
Counties included in the statement issued at 4:00 this afternoon are (West Alabama counties in red): Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Choctaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox.
“At this moment, forecasts continue to show the real likelihood that the tropical system brewing in the Gulf could impact Alabama as a hurricane as early as Friday,” the governor remarked when she released the statement. “While we continue to monitor forecasts, we have to prepare now. That is why I have issued a state of emergency for 40 counties. This will allow us to take any needed steps ahead of landfall. As we approach the weekend and any travel plans, make sure you have reliable information as conditions develop. While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously.”
The declaration will remain in effect for seven days unless the governor alters it.
The governor’s declaration allows for preparation for the Alabama National Guard’s activation to respond to the severe weather situation. It also covers activating the Alabama Emergency Operations Center and various state agencies and departments to address the emergency.
The declaration also authorizes the State Attorney General's Office to enforce the Alabama Unconscionable Pricing Act to fight price gouging during a declared state of emergency.
The document signed into force after consulting with the National Hurricane Center and local National Weather Service Offices also grants detailed waivers of federal motor-carrier regulations during the emergency. This allows motor carriers to bypass many safety and operational rules — especially Hours of Service — to ensure rapid delivery of essential supplies, but certain core safety and compliance requirements still apply.
“As we approach the weekend and any travel plans, make sure you have reliable information as conditions develop,” Ivey said. “While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously.”
In a release by the National Weather Service Field Office in Birmingham today, forecasters stated impacts could begin Friday and continue into early Sunday farther inland, with flooding and power outages among the primary concerns. Quick spin-up, short-lived tornado activity is also possible.
The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency and other county EMAs in West Alabama caution that flooding and power outages are possible and urge residents to take precautions and monitor potential changes in the storm's track and intensity.
Tuscaloosa Thread and all Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa radio stations have activated "Operation Storm Watch" for continual coverage of Isaias.