Governor Ivey Urges Alabamians to Prepare for Hurricane Isaias, Provides Update
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday released a video message urging Alabamians to prepare for Hurricane Isaias and announcing state office closures and coastal visitor evacuations ahead of potential impact.
Governor Ivey on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for 40 Alabama counties, allowing the state to take needed steps ahead of potential landfall.
Earlier today, Governor Ivey also directed state offices and buildings in Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Mobile counties to close beginning Friday, October 9, at noon Central.
In her video message, Governor Ivey announced, that at the request of local officials, there is a mandatory evacuation of coastal tourists and visitors. It requires all non-residents, tourists and visitors in Baldwin County south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and on Dauphin Island in Mobile County, to evacuate immediately.
The governor warns of strong winds, heavy rain and possible tornadoes and encourages Alabamians to heed local warnings and to stay weather aware.
Click here or the above image for VIDEO.
Script:
My fellow Alabamians:
The storm brewing in the Gulf of America is now officially a hurricane.
Forecasts continue to show the real likelihood this hurricane will hit Alabama as early as Friday. NOW is the time to prepare.
I have issued a state of emergency for 40 counties as we brace for likely landfall. I have also announced closure of state offices and buildings in Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Mobile counties beginning Friday at noon.
Additionally…
At the request of local officials, we are requiring all tourists and visitors in Baldwin County south of the Gulf ICW, as well as those in Dauphin Island in Mobile County to evacuate immediately.
Again, that means visitors in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island need to head home.
We want to make sure y’all are safe and can enjoy Alabama in better weather.
Right now, we are worried about strong winds, heavy rain and possible spinoff tornadoes in certain parts of the state.
As we approach the weekend and any travel plans, make sure you have reliable information as conditions develop.
We often hear in emergency management: Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. That is the approach we need with this particular storm system. After all, we only want to see one Tide roll this weekend.
Y’all be safe, heed local warnings and stay weather aware.
For your publishing and broadcasting purposes, the governor’s video message is available for download here:
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Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov