Governor Bentley Declares State Of Emegency For Alabama
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: August 26, 2012
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Sunday declared a statewide State of Emergency and issued mandatory
evacuation orders ahead of Isaac's expected landfall as a hurricane along the Gulf Coast.
"I
am urging everyone to take precautions now, monitor weather warnings,
and be prepared for whatever Isaac may bring," Governor Bentley said.
"By
declaring this state of emergency, I am mobilizing the resources our
communities need as the storm approaches."
"This
state of emergency indicates we are drawing closer to feeling the
impact of Isaac," Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner said. "Please make
preparations
now for the potential impact of strong winds and heavy rains for your
area."
Governor
Bentley is also ordering a mandatory evacuation beginning at 8:00
Monday morning for Zones 1 and 2 in both Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
In Baldwin County:
Zones 1 and 2 include all areas south of U.S. Highway 98 and areas on
the Eastern Shore of Mobile
Bay that are South of Interstate 10 and west of U.S. Highway 98.
Additionally, all people living in proximity to the Fish, Styx,
Blackwater, and Perdido Rivers should evacuate. Also, all people living
in manufactured homes, and those living in low-lying,
flood-prone areas should evacuate.
In Mobile County:
Zones 1 and 2 include areas south of Interstate 10 and those areas that
are north of I-10 and
east of I-65 and east of U.S. 43. Also, all people living in
manufactured homes, and those living in low-lying, flood-prone areas
should evacuate.
By
declaring a State of Emergency, Governor Bentley is directing the
activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Plan. Governor Bentley
is also
directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory
authority to assist the communities and entities affected by the storm.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is also authorized to make
appropriate assessments of damages following the
storm and seek any necessary state and federal assistance for affected
areas.
Governor
Bentley is also ordering Alabama National Guard troops to be on standby
in order to assist communities that may be impacted by Isaac. All
key state agencies are also on alert and ready to assist.
Residents
along the coast and inland are all encouraged to continue to monitor
changing weather conditions. The Ready Alabama website, www.readyalabama.gov,
includes helpful suggestions to help people prepare for the impact of a
hurricane. Ready Alabama information is also available on Twitter by
following @readyalabama. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency also
has information online at www.ema.alabama.gov
and on Twitter by following @AlabamaEMA.
