The proclamation activates the National Guard and other state agencies to respond to the storm event if needed. It also directs the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to make the appropriate assessments of damages from the storm and to seek any “necessary state and federal assistance for the affected areas."
The proclamation also suspends any provision of the existing “Safer at Home” order related to the Covid-19 pandemic “to the extent that enforcement would endanger” anyone affected by the storm. But the proclamation does not modify or alter provisions related to Covid-19 orders, and urges people responding to the storm to “remain vigilant against the spread of” the novel coronavirus.
“While this storm is not expected to have an impact as large as storms we’ve seen move through the Gulf earlier this year, we want to be in the best place possible to respond to anticipated rain, storm surge and mass power outage," said Ivey. "I encourage everyone to remain weather aware and tuned in to their trusted news source as this storm could shift direction or change intensity. We continue to track the path of this storm and will stay in touch with the people of Alabama with any updates.”
The Baldwin County Commission could adopt its own state of emergency when it meets at 4:30 p.m. today.
Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said under consideration are travel restrictions along Fort Morgan Road on Wednesday night, when the storm is expected to make landfall near New Orleans.
“There is concern with debris still along the roadways for traffic hazards due to wind and well as debris in the ditches which could affect drainage,” said Mack. “We may see increased water on the roadways. There are still broken limbs in trees which a high or gust of wind may bring down.”
Mack encouraged Baldwin County residents to avoid unnecessary travel Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Baldwin County Schools are canceled for Thursday.
In Gulf Shores, a local state of emergency is in effect amid concerns that a tropical storm with high winds and storm surge could create a public hazard. According to Grant Brown, spokesman for the city, the region has a “weakened condition” because of the damage caused by Hurricane Sally last month. Leaning trees, and damaged roofs throughout coastal Alabama could be compromised by Zeta, he said.
“There are a lot of fears going on,” Brown said.
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