Pleasure Island communities declare state of emergency ahead of Gordon

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Orange Beach:

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the entire Alabama coast in advance of Tropical Storm Gordon. In line with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's declaration of a State of Emergency, the City of Orange Beach enacted a local state of emergency – effective today at 10 a.m. - to ensure that proper resources and potential recovery needs are met. Fast-moving Tropical Storm Gordon is expected to reach hurricane status and make landfall late Tuesday night between the Louisiana and Mississippi state line. Periods of heavy rain are expected with flash flooding a possibility. Winds gusts will have the potential to reach 58 to 73 mph.

Residents are encouraged to leave low-lying and flood-prone areas, mobile homes, and for all recreational vehicles (RVs) and motor homes on the island. Upon 40 MPH sustained winds, please be aware that bridges will be closed and emergency services may be restricted. With road safety in mind during the peak of the storm, vehicles are strongly encouraged to stay off the road. If needed, a curfew will be enforced. Businesses need to prepare and adjust for proper closing times to allow for employees to safely make it home in advance of severe weather impacts.

- Now is the time to look over your hurricane preparedness list and make sure your supplies are well-stocked.

- Fire and police staffing will be increased during the storm.

- Residents and local property owners are encouraged to secure all outside items around their properties, such as patio furniture, umbrellas, awnings, and trash/recycling receptacles.

- Boat owners should take all necessary precautions since a surge of 2 to 4 feet is expected, possibly higher.

- GULF WATERS ARE CLOSED to swimmers beginning today - Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 - with double red flags flying due to life-threatening rip currents and surf conditions.

- A limited supply of free sand and sand bags is available at the Orange Beach Public Works Department at 4400 William Silvers Parkway (Sportsplex Road), off Canal Road.

- The city and Republic Services encourage residents to move the waste and recycling containers from right-of-way and street areas. These containers can potentially become a hazard for flying debris during wind events so we ask that the containers are moved way from roadway or right-of-way areas and secured under a carport or behind your residence or business until after the storm.

- All non-essential city facilities will close at noon Tuesday. Office will reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018.

- The City Council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. at Orange Beach City Hall.

- All Baldwin County Public Schools, including Orange Beach Elementary, will dismiss students at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

- The Expect Excellence and Camp Sunshine programs will close at 1 p.m. today. The programs will receive students following the 11:30 a.m. dismissal. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 1 P.M.

- The Finance Department will stop issuing Hurricane Re-entry Decals at noon today.

For more information, call the Info Line at 251-980-INFO (4636). For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

For Hurricane Preparedness and Emergency Management information, visit: http://www.orangebeachal.gov.

Gulf Shores:

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft has issued a local State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Gordon. The declaration follows Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s earlier issuance of a ‘State of Emergency’ which included Baldwin County. Tropical Storm Gordon is forecast to intensify to a Category I hurricane and make landfall somewhere along the Alabama/Mississippi Gulf Coast at approximately 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening. A hurricane warning remains in effect for coastal Mobile and Baldwin Counties, which includes the City of Gulf Shores.

Conditions are expected to begin to deteriorate along coastal areas with tropical force wind impacts by midday Tuesday, and minimal hurricane force winds are possible Tuesday night as the storm intensifies and moves over the area.

City officials warn residents who live in flood-prone, low-lying areas and those residing in mobile homes, campgrounds and RV parks should take all necessary precautions in advance of the storm. Forecasts call for an expected 3 to 5 inches of rain, with the potential for localized heavy rain amounts reaching 6 to 10 inches. In addition, 1 to 3 feet of storm surge and higher than normal tide and surf conditions will present a high risk of dangerous rip currents and significant flooding for low-lying areas. Double red flags are currently posted on Gulf Shores’ beaches indicating the water is closed to swimming.

The City of Gulf Shores’ facilities and services will close Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 12 p.m. All City facilities and services will resume operations at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5. There are no anticipated bridge or road closures at this time.

Safety steps to consider:

- Secure all outside items such as patio furniture, umbrellas, awnings, and trash/recycling receptacles.

- Pick up all yard debris and remove it from ditches and culverts, so water will drain freely.

- Take all necessary precautions to secure boats in anticipation of storm surge.

- Drivers are encouraged to stay off the roads overnight Tuesday. Do not drive through any flooded roadways (“Turn Around, Don’t Drown”).

- A limited amount of free sand for sand bags is available at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex located at 19025 Oak Road West (County Road 6 West). Sand bags and shovels are not provided, but may be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores.

- Visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/Safe for additional emergency preparedness information.

For additional tips/information and weather-related resources regarding Tropical Storm Gordon, visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/emergencymanagement.

Gulf Shores Emergency Management staff will continue to monitor storm developments and will provide updates as they become available.

For the latest updates and advisories, continue to follow the City of Gulf Shores on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cityofgulfshoresal) and Twitter (@City_GulfShores) and monitor the City’s website at www.gulfshoresal.gov or call the Emergency Information line at 251-968-2425.

Schools:

Baldwin County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 5. A State of Emergency has been declared by Governor Ivey. Student safety is always the priority. Our buses travel in extreme rural areas and many start their day in the dark. Ample time is needed by our leadership team to assess roads, facilities and possible power outages.

Unless we tell you differently, based upon the fast-moving tropical weather, we will be back in school Thursday.

Please stay weather alert and tuned to our BCBE communication.