MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a state of emergency for 40 Alabama counties as a tropical system in the Gulf threatens to impact the state as a hurricane as early as Friday.
The state of emergency takes effect at 4 p.m. Wednesday and includes several Wiregrass counties, including Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties.
“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. “While we continue to monitor forecasts, we have to prepare now. That is why I have issued a state of emergency for 40 counties.”
Ivey said the declaration will allow the state to take needed steps ahead of possible landfall.
“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 40 counties included are 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.
The state of emergency will remain in effect for seven days and is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, unless Ivey issues a different expiration time.
