In The Eye 2020

IN THE EYE 2020

Hurricane Season Begins June 1 Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

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IN THE EYE 2020

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INSIDE Important apps to use during a storm Baldwin County Emergency Management

Contains links to local, state, and federal resources, local weather, evacuation zone map, and shelter information.

FEMA

Receive emergency alerts and information. Provides safety notifications, emergency preparedness tips, and disaster resources.

NOAA Now

Provides the latest information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration including: hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans; mainland storms, including the latest tornado and severe thunderstorm alerts; worldwide animated satellite views; the latest marine conditions from the National Data Buoy Center; the ultraviolet index.

Hurricane George approaches the shore in Orange Beach at the Four Seasons pier in 1998 creating an artful contrast between the blackness of the storm in the south and the bright sunny day in the north.

The beach was the dividing line.

Photo by Jack Swindle

2019 recap 6 Another busy season projected 8 Hurricane map 10-11 2020 Hurricane names 11 Local radio/TV stations 12 Build an emergency kit 12 Before, during and after the storm 13 Baldwin County evacuation routes 14-15 Baldwin County evacuation shelters 16 Transportation to evacuation shelters 18 Evacuation with pets 18 A specialty publication of Gulf Coast Media Publisher Parks Rogers parks@gulfcoastmedia.com 251-943-2151 Managing Editor Allison Marlow allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com Design Paige Marmolejo paige@gulfcoastmedia.com

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Prepare your home and family in the event of a flood.

4 In the Eye • 2020

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2019 recap: another busy hurricane season NOAA

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on November 30, was marked by tropical activity that churned busily from mid-August through October.

The season produced 18 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three were “major” (Category 3, 4 or 5).

NOAA’s outlook called for 10-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes and 2-4 major hurricanes, and accurately predicted the overall activity of the season.

“During each and every hurricane season, thousands of workers across the federal government coordinate with NOAA to safeguard Americans against the threat posed by hurricanes,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “From advanced warnings to business aid, the Department of Commerce stands ready to help Americans from a storm’s formation to long after its dissipa6 In the Eye • 2020

WEATHER.COM

tion.”

This year marks the fourth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The only other period on record that produced four consecutive above-normal seasons was 19982001. Also this year, five tropical cyclones formed in the Gulf of Mexico, which ties a record with 2003 and 1957 for the most storms to form in that region. Of those, three — Barry, Imelda and Nestor — made landfall in the U.S. “NOAA provided around-the-clock support to communities before, during and after each

tropical weather threat,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator. “The expertise of our forecasters, coupled with upgrades like those to the Global Forecast System model and our nextgeneration environmental satellites, helped NOAA and its partners save lives and protect property all season long.”

The three major hurricanes this season were Dorian, Humberto and Lorenzo. Hurricane Dorian is tied with three other hurricanes — the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert and 2005’s Hurricane Wilma — as the sec-

ond strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin in terms of wind (185 mph). In all, four storms made landfall in the U.S. during the 2019 season: Barry, Dorian, Imelda and Nestor.

“This season’s activity ramped up in midAugust during the normal peak of the season, as we predicted,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “The abovenormal activity is consistent with the ongoing high-activity era, driven largely by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which entered a warm phase in 1995. Conditions that favored more, stronger, and longerlasting storms this year included a stronger West African monsoon, warmer Atlantic waters, and weak vertical wind shear across the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.”

An average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

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Another busy season projected Weather.com

The forecast released last month by The Weather Company predicts the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season to be more active than usual.

The outlook created by Dr. Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Company, calls for 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes — one that is Category 3 or higher (115-plus-mph winds) on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

This forecast is significantly above the 30-year (1981-2010) normalized average of 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Though the official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, storms can occasionally develop outside those months, as was the case in the previous three seasons with Subtropical Storm Andrea in May 2019, Tropical Storm Alberto in May 2018 and Tropical Storm Arlene in April 2017.

The Weather Company outlook is based on a number of factors, including Atlantic Ocean sea-surface temperatures, La Niña and other teleconnections, computer model forecast guidance and past hurricane seasons exhibit8 In the Eye • 2020

ing similar atmospheric conditions.

“Weighing all of the factors, we have started the bidding at 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes for the 2020 North Atlantic tropical season,” Crawford said. “However, we think there is still some upside to these numbers, and that a ‘hyperactive season’ like we had in 2010 and 2017 is still in play.”

2010 tied for the thirdmost-active Atlantic hurricane season on record for named storms, with 19, 12 of which became hurricanes. 2017 was the fifth-most-active season, with 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes, including major hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Here are some questions and answers about what this outlook means.

What Does This Mean for the United States?

There is no strong correlation between the number of storms or hurricanes and U.S. landfalls in any given season.

One or more of the 18 named storms predicted to develop this season could hit the U.S. or none at all. That’s why residents of the coastal U.S. should prepare each year no matter the forecast.

A couple of examples of why you need to be prepared each year oc-

curred in 1992 and 1983.

The 1992 season produced only six named storms and one subtropical storm. However, one of those was Hurricane Andrew, which devastated South Florida as a Category 5 hurricane.

In 1983, there were only four named storms, but one was Alicia. The Category 3 hurricane hit the Houston-Galveston area and caused almost as many direct fatalities there as Andrew did in South Florida.

In contrast, the 2010 Atlantic season was quite active, with 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes. Despite the high number of storms that year, no hurricanes and only one tropical storm made landfall in the U.S. In other words, a season can deliver many storms but have little impact, or deliver few storms and have one or more hitting the U.S. coast with major impact.

The U.S. averages one to two hurricane landfalls each season, according to NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division statistics.

In 2019, there were two U.S. hurricane landfalls – Barry in Louisiana and Dorian in North Carolina.

In 2018, four named storms impacted the U.S. coastline, most notably hurricanes Florence and Michael within a month

of each other.

In 2017, seven named storms impacted the U.S. coast, including Puerto Rico, most notably hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which battered Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, respectively.

Before that, the U.S. was on a bit of a lucky streak.

The 10-year running total of U.S. hurricane landfalls from 2006 through 2015 was seven, according to Alex Lamers, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. This was a record low for any 10-year period dating to 1850, and considerably lower than the average of 17 per 10-year period in that same span.

None of the U.S. landfalls from 2006 through 2015 were from major hurricanes.

So it’s impossible to know for certain if a U.S. hurricane strike will occur this season. Keep in mind that even a weak tropical storm hitting the U.S. can cause major impacts, particularly if it moves slowly and triggers flooding rainfall.

How Much of a Role Will El Niño or La Niña Play?

El Niño/La Niña, the periodic warming/ cooling of the equatorial eastern and central Pacific Ocean, can shift weather patterns over a period of months. Its status is always one facGulfCoastNewsToday.com

tor that’s considered in hurricane season forecasting.

As of early spring, a weak Modoki El Niño was in place, but waters in March slowly cooled.

Crawford noted that this cooling trend will likely continue, and he expects a transition toward La Niña conditions as the spring and summer progress.

Long-range forecasters at both NOAA and Colorado State University were generally in agreement with Crawford, suggesting that neutral conditions (neither El Niño nor La Niña) are anticipated through the first half of the hurricane season (June through August, or JJA), with either neutral or La Niña conditions possible in the second half (September through November, or SON).

We should note here, before talking about the impacts of a possible La Niña, that the status of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is notoriously difficult to predict. This is especially true from February to May, when the “spring predictability barrier” is in play, a period when forecast skill is lower than the rest of the year.

La Niña generally acts as a speed boost to the Atlantic hurricane season, but it is just one factor that can lead to an active year. Hurricane seasons can be active even if La Niña is not in play.

La Niña typically corGulfCoastNewsToday.com

2020 expected storms PREDICTED NUMBER OF STORMS: Eighteen named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes are expected this season.

AVERAGE NUMBER OF STORMS: The 30-year normalized average is 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

responds with a more active hurricane season because the cooler waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean end up causing less wind shear along with weaker low-level winds in the Caribbean Sea. La Niña can also enhance rising motion over the Atlantic Basin, making it easier for storms to develop.

The La Niña years of 2010 and 2011 are among several tied for the third-most-active Atlantic seasons on record (both years had 19 named storms). The next La Niña year, 2016, was also active, with 15 named storms that included Category 5 Matthew and three other major hurricanes. La Niña conditions recurred midway through the hyperactive and catastrophic 2017 season that produced Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Other Factors in Play One of the other ingredients that meteorologists, including Crawford, are considering for hurricane season is current sea-surface temperatures across the Atlantic Ocean.

Much of the Atlantic’s waters are already warmer than average as

of mid-April. The Gulf of Mexico is also several degrees above average, given recent heat and the lack of rain over the Southeast. Taken as a whole, Atlantic Basin sea-surface temperatures are currently at recordwarm levels, “supporting a big season,” Crawford said.

But it isn’t ocean temperatures in April that will help boost or curtail tropical systems; Rather, it is water temperatures during the hurricane season.

Climate models suggest that most of, if not the entire, Atlantic Basin will be warmer than average during the peak of the hurricane season.

An above-average number of tropical storms and hurricanes is more likely if temperatures in the main development region (MDR) between Africa and the Caribbean Sea are warmer than average. Conversely, belowaverage ocean temperatures can lead to fewer tropical systems than if waters were warmer.

Assuming atmospheric factors are favorable, warmer waters in the MDR allow tropical waves — the formative engines that can even-

tually become tropical storms — to get closer to the Caribbean and the U.S. The prevalence of wind shear and dry air across the Atlantic will also need to be watched over the next six to eight months.

If La Niña does kick in, as many forecasters expect, and the atmosphere responds to it, there could be less wind shear and more favorable conditions for hurricane growth toward the end of the season.

How much dry air rolls off the coast of Africa will also need to be monitored. Even if water temperatures are very warm and there is little wind shear, dry air can still disrupt developing tropical cyclones and even prohibit their birth.

Hurricanes need a precise set of ingredients to come together in order for them to fester, and those ingredients will need to be monitored this year.

Crawford also noted that computer model forecasts for tropical forcing during the heart of the hurricane season are “strongly suggestive of an active season,” and his forecast is similar to the model consensus.

2020 • In the Eye 9

10 In the Eye • 2020

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

2020 HURRICANE NAMES Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

2020 • In the Eye 11

Build an emergency kit In the event of flood hazards, tune in to local media for information.

AREA TELEVISION STATIONS Channel 3 (ABC) WEAR TV Channel 5 (CBS) WKRG TV Channel 10 (NBC) WALA TV Channel 15 (FOX) WPMI TV Channel 44 WJTC TV AREA RADIO STATIONS WABB AM/FM (1480) WABF AM (1220) WAVH FM (106.5) WBCA AM (1110) WBHY AM (840) WBHY FM (88.5) WBLX FM (92.5) WDLT FM (98.3) WDLT AM (600) WBUB FM (104.1) WMXC FM (99.9) WRKH FM (96.1) WGOK AM (900) WHEP AM (1310) WHIL FM (91.3) WJLQ FM (100.7) WNTM AM (710) WNSP FM (105.5) WKSJ FM (94.9) WPCS FM (89.3) WUWF FM (91) WXBM FM (102.5) WZEW FM (92.1) WTKK FM (TK-101) WXWY AM (100) WMOB AM (1360) WQUA FM (102.1) 12 In the Eye • 2020

Ready.gov

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days.

Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit Store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or duffel bags.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items: • Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation • Food - at least a threeday supply of non-perishable food • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert • Flashlight • First aid kit • Extra batteries • Whistle to signal for help • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-inplace

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Manual can opener • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Supplies Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit: • Prescription medications • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives • Glasses and contact lense solution • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream • Pet food and extra water for your pet • Cash or traveler’s checks • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person • Complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water • Fire extinguisher • Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils • Paper and pencil • Books, games, puzzles or other kid’s activities

Maintaining Your Kit After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed: • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers • Replace expired items as needed • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is.

• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes.

• Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

Before, during and after the storm Ready.gov

Preparing Your Home • Before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees/limbs to keep you and your property safe.

• Secure rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to property.

• Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors.

• Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.

• Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high-winds.

Hurricane Watch Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.

• Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.

• Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for GulfCoastNewsToday.com

children, parents, individuals with disabilities or pets.

Hurricane Warning Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.

• Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.

• Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

• Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.

36 hours from arrival • Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and instructions.

• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit.

• Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power.

Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.

• Review your evacuation plan with your family.

• Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

18-36 hours from arrival • Bookmark your city

or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.

• Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.

• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood.

6-18 hours from arrival • Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/ county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

• Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.

6 hours from arrival • If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know.

• Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows.

• Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is

restored.

• Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/ county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

After a Hurricane • Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.

• Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

• Watch out for debris and downed power lines.

• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

• Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.

• Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.

• Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.

2020 • In the Eye 13

Baldwin County evacuation routes

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Residents: Highway 59, Foley Beach Express & Baldwin Beach Express Central & South Baldwin County Residents: Highway 59 North & Baldwin Beach Express Eastern Shore Residents: State Highway 181 & Highway 98 North Lillian Area Residents: County Road 87 East Side of Pleasure Island (Orange Beach & Ono Island): Foley Beach Express via Toll Bridge & Baldwin Beach Express

Toll will be lifted for northbound traffic during evacuation Evacuation scenarios: 14 In the Eye • 2020

CATEGORY 1: All areas of Pleasure Island along with individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

(Pleasure Island consists of all areas south of the Intra-coastal Canal to include Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Ono Island.)

CATEGORY 2: All areas south of State Hwy 98 and the area on the Eastern Shore that is South of Interstate 10 and West of State Hwy 98. Additionally, all individuals living in proximity to the Fish, Styx, Blackwater and Perdido Rivers and all individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

CATEGORY 3: All areas south of State Hwy 98 and the area on the Eastern Shore west of State Hwy 98, and the area west

of State Hwy 225 and west of Hwy 59 North of Stockton to the Baldwin/Monroe County line. Additionally, all individuals living in proximity to the Fish, Styx, Blackwater and Perdido Rivers and all individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

____________________________

CATEGORY 4 OR 5: All areas south of Interstate 10 and the area on the Eastern Shore west of State Hwy 225 and west of Hwy 59 North of Stockton to the Baldwin/Monroe County line.

Additionally, all individuals living in manufactured homes and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

CATEGORY 5: Everyone in Baldwin County should evacuate.

If elected officials deem a wider evacuation order is needed based on guidance issued by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center: CATEGORIES 1 THROUGH 4: evacuation zones are same as listed above.

For more information visit: baldwincountyal.gov.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

2020 • In the Eye 15

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Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA) strongly recommends evacuation.

“Shelters of Last Resort” are made available by the county, however, the structural integrity of the facilities cannot be guaranteed.

All individuals entering the shelter must: • Complete a Registration/ Waiver of Liability Form.

• Present photo identification.

• Obey the shelter rules.

• Be subject to a criminal background check.

903 West Laurel Ave., Foley, Al 36535

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Baldwin County evacuation shelters

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Not all shelters will open at the same time. Shelters will open on an “as-needed” basis and are subject to change. Please stay tuned to local television and radio stations for public service announcements regarding shelter openings.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - The shelter information listed below is primarily used during hurricanes. In the event BCEMA opens shelters due to severe weather or tornadoes, shelters normally used as electrical support and/or medical needs shelters will likely be used as mass care (or general public) shelters.

Individuals entering electrical support shelters or medical needs shelters must also bring: • One adult caregiver • Medical equipment and supplies • Any special dietary supplies needed

1629 E 1st Street, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 251-968-6323 24 Hour Emergencies

You may also Contact the (Baldwin County (EMA) (Emergency Management Agency) for shelter opening and closing information.

Mass Care Shelters (general public) Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567 Daphne East Elementary 26651 County Road 13 Daphne, AL 26526 Bay Minette Middle School 1311 West 13th St. Bay Minette, AL 36507

Medical Needs Shelters Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567

Electrical Support Shelters Baldwin County Level II Community Shelter 207 North White Avenue Bay Minette, AL 36507 Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567 Foley Satellite Courthouse 201 East Section St. Foley, AL 36535 Fairhope Satellite Courthouse 1100 Fairhope Ave. Fairhope, AL 36532

413 E. Laurel Ave. • Foley, AL 36353

700 Whispering Pines Rd. • Daphne, AL 36526

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Transportation to evacuation shelters Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA) releases pertinent information to the public on shelter openings and evacuations through public service announcements.

During a Local State of Emergency, Baldwin County residents with no means of transportation will need to contact Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System (BRATS) for home pick-up service and transport to local shelters.

BRATS has buses readily available for wheelchair bound clients.

Following the execution of a Mandatory Evacuation Order however, for a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane, BRATS will suspend its fees and additionally transport residents wishing to evacuate the county to pre-designated Evacuation Pick-up

Points (PUPs), listed below: • Baldwin County High School, the Hub • Daphne High School • Fairhope High School • Foley High School • Loxley Municipal Park • Robertsdale High School Baldwin County Board of Education (BOE) school buses will then pick residents up from the PUPs and transport them to Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette, also known as the Hub, where they will offload school buses, register and board motor coach buses, contracted by the state, for transport to outside-county Community Shelters. In the event there is a shortfall of motor coach buses, BOE school buses will be used to assist with evacuation efforts. This service is provided FREE and residents will be returned

when weather conditions are deemed safe and no longer hazardous.

Citizens are encouraged to schedule transportation in advance. BRATS may be contacted by calling: 251-937-0355 (North Baldwin) 251-990-4636 (Eastern Shore) 251-972-6817 (Central & South Baldwin) 251-580-2530 (After Hours) Citizens who are nonambulatory, bed-bound or who have special medical conditions should contact MedStar Emergency Medical Services or North Baldwin EMS for assistance.

Once a Local State of Emergency or Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued, MedStar will begin picking up South Baldwin, Eastern Shore, and Central Baldwin residents and will transport them to local

hospitals, and local Medical Needs Shelters and Electrical Support Shelters. North Baldwin EMS will pick up and transport North Baldwin residents.

For those infirmed individuals wishing to evacuate the county, MedStar and North Baldwin EMS will pick up residents from their homes and evacuate them to outside-county hospitals, and outside-county Medical Needs Shelters, which will be announced at the time of event.

Citizens are encouraged to schedule transportation with MedStar and North Baldwin EMS in advance. A fee will be charged.

MedStar may be contacted by calling 251.971.3775 or 1-866-2988884 (Toll Free).

North Baldwin EMS may be contacted by calling 251580-9499.

Evacuating with pets Emergency shelters in Baldwin County do not currently accept pets but many hotel chains do and most will make concessions during local disasters. Always remember to call ahead and make reservations.

All animals should have a permanent ID and secure carriers as well as collars, leashes and rabies tags.

Make sure pets have current immunizations and bring these records with you if you evacuate.

Build a survival kit for your pet to include food (up to two weeks supply), water bowls, medication, trash bags for collecting waste, 18 In the Eye • 2020

treats, toys and muzzles.

Train your pets to become familiar with their carrier ahead of time.

The carrier may become a secure and comforting refuge if your pet is required to live in it for days, even weeks after the storm.

There are two state-run shelters that accept pets.

They are:

(Can house 2,500-5,000 domestic animals, 700-900 large animals)

Garrett Coliseum 1555 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL (Montgomery County)

The state shelters will accept “any” animals, including snakes and unvaccinated animals. The state will provide the medical equipment and testing necessary to give rabies shots and will provide medication

Houston County Farm Center 1701 East Cottonwood Road Dothan, AL (Houston County) (Can house 400 domestic animals, 150 large animals)

for any animals with a communicable disease.

Owners will not be able to stay with their pets, although there will be some “limited” room elsewhere on the property for owners to stay.

For more information on Alabama Regional Emergency Animal Shelters, call ADAI at 334-240-7278.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

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