Ivey Declares State Of Emergency For 40 AL Counties Ahead Of Isaias

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency Wednesday for 40 Alabama counties as Tropical Storm Isaias strengthens in the Gulf and threatens to bring hurricane conditions to parts of the state as early as Friday.

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Ivey's office said the state of emergency took effect at 4 p.m. Wednesday and will remain in effect for seven days, expiring at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, unless the governor issues a proclamation changing the expiration time.

“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,” Ivey said in announcing the declaration. “While we continue to monitor forecasts, we have to prepare now.”

Ivey said the emergency declaration will allow the state to take necessary steps ahead of the storm's potential landfall.

The 40 counties covered by the declaration include: 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.

“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.”

The declaration comes as forecasters increasingly focus on Alabama and the central Gulf Coast for potential impacts from Isaias.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday afternoon that hurricane and storm surge watches were in effect for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Isaias is forecast to become a hurricane Thursday and strengthen to a Category 2 storm over the central Gulf before weakening somewhat as it approaches land. The agency said the current potential landfall zone stretches from near Biloxi, Mississippi, to Panama City, Florida.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Birmingham said impacts could begin Friday and continue into early Sunday farther inland, with flooding and power outages among the primary concerns.

A peak storm surge of 5 to 7 feet could occur along the Alabama coast and Mobile Bay, according to the Wednesday afternoon update from the NWS.

For central Alabama, including Tuscaloosa, the NWS said heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected from Friday into Saturday.

Forecasters are urging residents to begin preparing for possible flooding and power outages while continuing to monitor changes in the storm's track and intensity.

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