GULF SHORES, Ala. —
Unable to open new public shelters on the coast in time for hurricane season, state leaders are prodding Alabama’s coastal counties to make evacuation decisions earlier than in past years so residents will have more time to seek higher ground if a major storm threatens the Gulf of Mexico.
Gov. Robert Bentley has advocated opening additional shelters along the coast to reduce the number of people who need to flee ahead of hurricanes, but budgets are tight. Federal officials approved less than 20 percent of the $2 million grant that two cities requested for public shelters in Baldwin County, Alabama’s leading tourist area, officials say.
So with hurricane season starting Friday, officials tell The Associated Press that state leaders as recently as this week have encouraged local officials to make decisions to evacuate as far as two days ahead of a hurricane threat. That’s different from the 24 to 36-hour window sought in past years.
Mitchell Sims, emergency management director in Baldwin County, said quicker decisions are good, but they aren’t always possible.
“There are so many factors in there. Every storm is different. What are the impacts going to be after people leave?” he said.
Bentley publicly discussed the idea of scaling back coastal evacuations after the deadly tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011. With millions of federal dollars flowing into the state for shelters, some of the money should be used on the coast to lessen the need for mass evacuations like the ones that occurred during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005, he said.
“It’s a new way of thinking,” Bentley said at the time.
Sims said the towns of Robertsdale and Spanish Fort sought $2 million total for hardened shelters that could be used during twisters or hurricanes — which typically generate tornadoes — but the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved only $339,000 for the work. With the cities having to provide matching funds to fill the funding gaps, he said it was unclear whether either project could go forward.
Bentley spokesman Jeremy King said the governor still supports the idea of building additional shelters on the coast, as do others.
“But there may be an issue with how much money is available in comparison with how much need exists in the counties,” he said.
With a population of 185,000 and most of the state’s beach resorts, Baldwin County already has 12 total shelters, including four for the general public. Opening any or all of them even a day earlier than in the past would cost the county additional money for food, security, utilities and other needs, Sims said.
“If we need to do that for the safety of our people, we’ll do it,” he said.
The state said public shelters can accommodate as many as 45,000 people in Alabama, but many families stay in hotels or motels when forced to leave home so shelters rarely fill up.
The director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Art Faulkner, said improved forecasting makes it possible to make evacuation decisions sooner than in the past. Only the governor can order a mandatory evacuation, and such decisions are made in consultation with local officials.
“A lot of it is storm driven; the factors of the storm, the category,” he said. “Hopefully we can better make decisions in those early hours that would not put our citizens in the position of having to evacuate when tropical-force winds are hitting the coat.”
Enjoying a sunny May day on the beach at Gulf Shores, Andrew Hunt dreaded the thought of a hurricane as he played in the surf on a wake board.
“That’s the last thing we need,” said Hunt, 24, of Pensacola, Fla.
State News
Ala. wants earlier storm evacuations
- State News
-
-
Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma
The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.
-
Indian guest workers sue company in Miss., Texas
Dozens of Indian guest workers are suing an Alabama-based marine and fabrication company, claiming it financially exploited them and forced them to live in squalid conditions after bringing them to work at Gulf Coast shipyards after Hurricane Katrina.
-
Man wants pay for snakes seized in Miss. porn case
A man serving 30 years after pleading guilty to enticing a teenager to pose for pornographic pictures with venomous snakes has filed a federal lawsuit seeking compensation for the loss of his reptiles.
-
Tornado churns through Oklahoma City suburbs
A mile-wide tornado churned through the Oklahoma City suburbs, destroying homes for the second day in a row Monday, as part of a severe weather outbreak that was expected to spread in other parts of the Plains and Midwest.
-
Tchnology can speed emergency response
Recent national tragedies have reminded us once again how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones and emergency response officials for breaking news. Being technology-ready before disaster strikes is critical to saving lives, connecting friends and family, and assisting first responders.
I -
Miss. seniors get another shot to pass grad tests
Mississippi officials are trying to retest hundreds of high school seniors who flunked exams that are required for graduation.
-
Only abortion clinic in Miss. fights to stay open
It can’t meet the mandates of a 2012 state law and the governor wants to shut it down, but Mississippi’s only abortion clinic is not about to quietly retreat.
-
Ex-BP engineer claims feds withheld evidence
A former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company’s response to its 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico urged a federal judge Tuesday to sanction Justice Department prosecutors for allegedly withholding evidence in the case, a claim the prosecutors deny.
-
Amtrak unveils locomotives to replace aging fleet
When Amtrak unveiled the first of 70 new locomotives Monday at a plant in California, it marked what the national passenger railroad service hopes will be a new era of better reliability, streamlined maintenance and better energy efficiency.
-
Miss. health agency to resume pregnancy work
Mississippi Medicaid officials will resume paying state Health Department workers to help women with high-risk pregnancies.
- More State News Headlines
-
Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
