However, in Cherokee County, Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Tim Burgess signed a local state of emergency declaration, at the request and recommendation of Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Shawn Rogers, after a survey of the damage affecting families and property around Weiss Lake.
Cherokee County officials held a press conference Sunday afternoon, announcing the opening of a shelter at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cherokee County Health and Rehab Activity Center at 199 Dean Buttram Sr. Avenue in Centre. The shelter will be staffed by the Red Cross, with hot meals, showers, restrooms and cots available.
Cherokee County schools will be closed Monday, and evaluations will be made later to the status of schools Tuesday, as the water is expected to rise to record levels early this week.
Cherokee officials, including Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Tim Burgess, EMA Director Shawn Rogers, and Sheriff Jeff Shaver, cautioned people about a number of hazards they might not expect.
Burgess said many of the campgrounds around the shoreline have flooded and sewage tanks and propane tanks are floating in the lake.
The sewage tanks pose a risk of contaminating water, Rogers said -- something people need to consider before getting in the water to retrieve property.
The propane tanks could explode, he said.
Electrocution may be the most invisible, deadly risk, Rogers said. Electricity has been cut to some of the flooded campgrounds but not all, and the water can carry dangerous currents.
Marine police are on the water, and warn boaters to stay off the water unless absolutely necessary.
Rogers said there is debris under the water that is a danger to boaters, in addition to all the other hazards.
Shaver said four people were arrested Sunday in connection to looting or taking of property dislodged by the water. If people find property, they should leave it where it is, the sheriff said.
These campgrounds are people's homes, he said, and many have lost a lot to the flood waters.
"There are always people who come in to take advantage of people who've already been disadvantaged," Shaver said. He said law enforcement officers are not going to look too kindly on people who do that.
He urged people to stay out of the flooded areas.
Due to looting concerns and the state of emergency, the city of Cedar Bluff instituted a curfew, which is in effect from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
County Engineer Cory Chambers said more than 20 county roads are partially or totally inundated with water. He said no one should try to cross flooded roads.
The river level Saturday afternoon was 569.41 feet, and there was significant flooding at every point around the lake, according to the Cherokee County EMA Facebook page.
The river in Cherokee County was expected to crest Sunday or Monday at 570 feet, and to stay at that level, possibly until Wednesday or Thursday.
The National Weather Service issued an advisory for the upper Coosa River on Sunday as a result of upstream floodgate releases at Weiss Lake Dam.
In coordination with Alabama Power, a flood advisory has been issued for upper portions of the Coosa River. Expect increased river levels from Weiss Lake Dam to Gadsden from Sunday evening through next week. This could lead to additional flooding of secondary roads and low-lying areas along the Coosa River.
Parks and campgrounds along the river may also be impacted.
Some rescues were needed at some campground areas in Cherokee County, Shaver said, and some arrests were needed when a few people claimed floating property for their own.
A Gaylesville woman, Dana M. Head, 59, was arrested Saturday afternoon, after deputies received calls about animals at her residence on the Chattooga River, left in locked outdoor cages where they could not escape rising waters.
"When deputies got there water had gotten into some of the cages, and some animals were deceased," Shaver said. She was not home; when she came home deputies arrested her, the sheriff said. He said he didn't know if she'd left her residence because of flooding.
He said he understood there were ducks, rabbits, birds and cats in the cages. Deputies cut locks to free some of the animals with the help of local people.
She was arrested for 17 counts of cruelty to animals, and released on $8,500 bond.
The Coosa River in Etowah County has also topped flood stage.
At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, GECEMA reported on its Facebook page, the water level was 511.7 feet – over flood stage of 511 feet.
At 512 feet, the post cautioned, the Gadsden area could start to see some residential flooding.
But Sunday brought sunshine, and the next couple of days are not expected to bring more rain.
According to GECEMA, the river will continue to fall below flood stage by early Wednesday afternoon, which should be good news. On Wednesday and for a few days after, there is a possibility of more rain.
Brooke Avenue in Gadsden remained underwater at and around the Big Wills Creek bridge. A few other roads were reported flooded beginning Thursday and Friday.
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