Kay Ivey issues state of emergency on Easter Sunday, suspends shelter order
Governor Kay Ivey on Easter Sunday suspended Alabama’s Stay-at-Home order, issued to protect against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to implement a State of Emergency due to impending severe weather. Ivey has directed shelters and community safe rooms to remain open and accessible to all individuals seeking refuge from this severe weather, while implementing reasonable practices and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those seeking shelter. “On this Easter Sunday, Alabama faces the potential for inclement weather, and we want all Alabama families to be prepared for whatever comes our way,” said Ivey. “Any provision of the COVID-19 orders is suspended to the extent that its application or enforcement would endanger any person affected by tonight’s severe weather. Shelters and community safe rooms should remain open and accessible to all individuals seeking refuge from this severe weather, while implementing reasonable practices and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those seeking shelter. My fellow Alabamians, stay vigilant, and stay safe this Easter Sunday.”
Kay Ivey declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency ahead of a winter storm expected to bring snow and hazardous driving conditions to a large portion of the state. Ivey made the declaration Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning and winter weather advisory for much of the state. Forecasters said that that norther portion of the state could see hazardous driving conditions and up to three inches of snow. The governor’s office urged motorists to use extreme caution Ivey said the “winter storm has the potential to affect a large portion of our state.” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said after the storm front passes, hazardous driving conditions will remain, particularly at night, as water freezes on roadways. Republished with permission from the Associated Press
State agencies at the ready: What could be Cat 3 storm
In anticipation of Hurricane Michael, which is barreling toward the the Gulf Coast, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a State of Emergency. It went into effect at 3:00 pm CT. on Monday. The storm is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane by the time it reaches Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Ivey anticipates wide-spread power outages, wind damage and debris produced by high winds and heavy rain associated with the hurricane. Flash flooding and tornadoes are also possible and parts of Alabama have been placed under tropical storm watches or warnings. “Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring,” Ivey said. “On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Tomorrow we will start seeing the effects of Michael and those in its path will need to take shelter by tomorrow evening. Please stay weather aware today and tomorrow for any forecast changes. Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities.” Ivey, along with Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Director, Brian Hastings, will continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Michael. By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Plan. She is also directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist the communities and entities affected by the storm. The AEMA is also authorized to make appropriate assessments of damages following the storm. “Hurricane Michael is forecast to become a major hurricane and it will produce wide-spread power outages and debris that will challenge our response and recovery in the southern and Wiregrass counties. Alabamians should always be prepared, but everyone needs to make final preparations now to be ready for Hurricane Michael,” Hastings explained. “I am concerned about the cone of uncertainty as Hurricane Michael is leaning west today. Residents and businesses in coastal Alabama must be vigilant and closely monitor the storm’s path and be prepared for a major hurricane.” The National Hurricane Center is warning of “life-threatening storm” surge that could reach 8 to 12 feet in hardest-hit areas. Hurricane #Michael continues to strengthen over the southern Gulf of Mexico. Here are the updated 10 PM CDT Key Messages for Hurricane #Michael. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/6x3a1wjqfi — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2018 Alabamians can text “ALALERT” to 888777 to receive information for Hurricane Michael from the AEMA.
Kay Ivey issues State of Emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Gordon
In anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Gordon, which the National Weather Service (NWS) says will soon be upgraded to a hurricane, Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a State of Emergency for several Alabama counties. Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington Counties are all included, effective at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 4. “I’ve issued a State of Emergency for #TSGordon directing essential state agencies to be on the ready should they be needed over the next couple of days. All coastal Alabama residents need to prepare now ahead of tonight’s potential landfall,” tweeted Ivey. I’ve issued a State of Emergency for #TSGordon directing essential state agencies to be on the ready should they be needed over the next couple of days. All coastal Alabama residents need to prepare now ahead of tonight’s potential landfall. Read–> https://t.co/aAzNF5G7ry pic.twitter.com/ythMpWwHAO — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) September 4, 2018 “All coastal Alabama residents need to prepare now ahead of tonight’s potential landfall near Alabama. I have directed essential state agencies to be on the ready should they be needed over the next couple of days,” said Ivey. “As with any tropical weather event, being prepared is of utmost importance. Everyone should take the necessary precautions now and stay informed of the latest weather conditions for their area. This State of Emergency will ensure that all available state resources are ready when they are needed.” Gordon is expected to bring increased rain activity and storm surge, with the threat of flooding and isolated tornadoes, the risk of which is expected to dramatically increase over the next 12 to 36 hours. “Gordon is a tight, fast moving tropical storm. Alabama is postured for a coastal wind and water event, but the key will be the preparation of our citizens,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian E. Hastings said. “If you live in the coastal counties, especially in surge and flood prone areas, it is imperative that you get to a safe place by early afternoon and stay there through Wednesday morning. With tropical storm force winds forecasted, we expect power outages concentrated in the coastal counties; so, make sure you have a 72-hour emergency kit ready.” Regardless of the final track and intensity of Gordon, it will produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding in several counties, and Ivey is encouraging Alabamians to prepare now. By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist the communities and entities impacted by Tropical Storm Gordon. For real-time road conditions, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is encouraging people to visit https://algotraffic.com/.
Kay Ivey issues State of Emergency ahead of winter weather
In anticipation of the severe winter weather the National Weather Service (NWS) has been forecasting, Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a State of Emergency. NWS has already issued Winter Weather Advisory for a large portion of Alabama in anticipation of snow, sleet and freezing rain in and near the areas under the advisory. “All Alabamians should take time to be prepared for the potential of winter weather. I have directed essential state agencies to be on the ready should they be needed over the next couple of days,” Ivey said. “As with any severe weather event, being prepared is of utmost importance. Everyone should take the necessary precautions now and stay informed of the latest weather forecasts for their area. This State of Emergency will ensure that all available state resources are ready if and when they are needed.” In anticipation of the winter weather, Ivey has allocated the following resources to be in place starting at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning: Alabama Emergency Management Agency will activate the State Emergency Operations Center in Clanton The Alabama National Guard will activate soldiers to assist with mission support teams and command staff. “There are enough uncertainties in the forecast right now that the potential exists that this winter storm could be debilitating to the state for a couple of days due to icy conditions,” Ivey added. “We are strongly encouraging people to closely monitor this forecast because each portion of the state will face icy conditions at different times. It also important to factor in your commute time to ensure you are off the roads before the first flakes start falling from the sky. In addition to icy road conditions, another factor the state is dealing with is the massive flu outbreak. Now is a good time for people to plan ahead and remain weather aware.” By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist the communities and entities affected by the winter storm. Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution while driving, check road conditions before departing, allow for increased travel times, and adjust arrival and departure times accordingly. Officials also urge motorists to limit travel to emergency situations only during the overnight hours of Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, as that is expected to be an especially cold and therefore dangerous period of time. For real-time road conditions, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is encouraging people to visit https://algotraffic.com. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) is reminding Alabamians that one of the most important preparedness steps that can taken is to put together an emergency preparedness kit with a three-day supply of food, water and other critical supplies. In addition, putting together a preparedness kit for vehicles that includes a car charger, ice scraper, jumper cables and blankets. To be prepared for winter weather, the AEMA urges resident to follow the following safety guidelines: Stay indoors during the storm. Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule and your route; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts. Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. Use caution, take breaks, push the snow instead of lifting it when possible, and lift lighter loads. Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss. Ivey’s State of Emergency is effective at 6:00 p.m. Monday for all Alabama counties.
Kay Ivey declares State of Emergency due to widespread flu outbreak
The past month has seen an explosion of influenza (flu) cases across Alabama leading Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a State Public Health Emergency on Thursday. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Alabama is experiencing widespread flu activity, and hospitals are at or over normal patient capacity due in large part to the number of patients presenting with seasonal influenza-like symptoms. Emergency departments and outpatient clinics are also seeing very high volumes of patients.At this time, this is not a pandemic flu situation, but a major seasonal flu situation. According to the governor’s proclamation, healthcare facilities in the state are overwhelmed by the number of patients with the flu and are taxed to such an extent that care of patients may now no longer be provided in the traditional, normal, and customary manner nor is the utilization of traditional, normal, and customary standards of care possible. The emergency declaration allows those facilities to implement “alternative standards of care” plans. ADPH says alternative standards of care allow medical personnel to both streamline and simplify the support process to preserve lives. The proclamation also states the State of Emergency is to remain in effect until it is rescinded by the governor. Ivey’s declaration follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saying the 2018 flu season is expected to be one of the worst in recent years. Widespread cases have been reported in 46 states, including Alabama. According to the CDC, the flu has already resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals, at least 13 of which were children, since it began in October. To avoid getting and spreading the flu, the ADPH urges the general public to follow “Do 10 – Fight the Flu” actions: Get vaccinated Wash your hands Cover your coughs and sneezes Stay home with fever Stockpile supplies Clean and disinfect Know your office emergency plan Learn home care Call your doctor if symptoms get worse Stay informed Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Fever or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (tiredness) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in children than adults. If you are able to contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you can potentially be administered an antiviral drug which will reduce the severity of symptoms in addition to the length of the illness.
Kay Ivey declares State of Emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Nate
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for Alabama due to potential tropical weather this weekend, which has already been blamed for 22 deaths in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Nate is expected to reach the northern Gulf Coast this weekend as a hurricane when it makes landfall on Sunday morning. This storm is expected to bring direct impacts from wind, storm surge and heavy rain. “I have signed the State of Emergency, because it frees up personnel and resources in case there is a need to respond to any storm related activity,” Ivey said. “State and local leaders are ready to respond if needed, but our people need to stay weather-aware and heed any directions given by local officials.” Winds are forecast to reach 75 mph and gusts up to 90 mph. Further inland over the western 2/3 of the state, sustained tropical storm force winds of 35-45 mph with gusts to 60mph are forecasted as far north as the Birmingham/Gadsden region. Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings asked Alabamians to prepare for the storm now. “The time for residents to prepare is now. Please build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, have a plan to communicate with family members if you lose power, review your evacuation plan with your family, stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and have a method to receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions,” Hastings said. “It is important for Alabama residents to understand the potential threat of this storm goes beyond the coastal counties. Everyone needs to closely monitor this system as it moves across the state in the coming days.” The measure is effective as of Friday at 7:00 a.m. and will remain in effect until the threat diminishes.
Kay Ivey issues State of Emergency to prevent price gouging after Harvey
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has issued a State of Emergency making it illegal for anyone in Alabama to price gouge in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The declaration comes after Colonial Pipeline, which provides nearly 40 percent of the South’s gasoline including Alabama’s, shutdown earlier in the day after the hurricane forced the closure of refineries and some of the pipeline’s own facilities. “As a result of Hurricane Harvey, oil refineries in Texas and Louisiana have suffered a temporary interruption of production which has caused a disruption in the supply of petroleum products, including gasoline to Alabama,” Ivey said in the declaration. “This disruption in supply inherently placed upward pressure on gasoline prices, but does not justify the imposition of unconscionable prices.” Ivey’s declaration amends a Wednesday declaration that waived the federal limits on number of hours petroleum transport motor carriers and drivers can work to help mitigate the impact of the disruption in the supply of gas. “Weds I issued a limited State of Emergency to prevent gas shortage due to #Harvey. Today I’ve made it clear price gouging is not acceptable.” Weds I issued a limited State of Emergency to prevent gas shortage due to #Harvey. Today I’ve made it clear price gouging is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/H7GyaaNj78 — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) September 2, 2017
Robert Bentley declares state of emergency following gas pipeline explosion
Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday declared a month-long State of Emergency for Alabama following a Colonial Pipeline explosion and fire in Shelby County Monday that killed one and injured six workers. Bentley signed the State of Emergency Tuesday that will facilitate the granting of a waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is needed to lift the federal government’s limitation on the hours a driver can transport gasoline. The order will last until Dec. 1 unless the governor decides to terminate it sooner. On Monday, a contractor working on the Colonial Pipeline in the area just south of Birmingham accidentally hit a 36-inch below-ground transmission pipe while unearthing threaded O-rings (TOR) for rendering the line inert, causing an explosion and fire. The contractors were attempting to install a permanent repair required after the previous pipeline ruptured Sept. 9, 2016. An extended shutdown could create fuel shortages and higher gas prices in several states including Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee — similar to what happened following the September accident. “My thoughts and prayers are with the six injured workers and with the family of the fatally injured worker,” Bentley said. “An accident of this magnitude is tough for any community to deal with, and I want to personally thank the local first responders for their immediate assistance to this accident, as well as the first responders from surrounding counties. They all provided resources and support to the help Shelby County in their time of need.” Cell phone footage of the explosion via April Ruth Everett. In addition to local responders, several state and federal resources are dedicated to responding to this disaster including: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation, Alabama Emergency Management, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, Regional Paramedical Services and others. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management staff is actively participating in the response and is embedded within the Unified Command Center. Air monitoring is ongoing and boom has been deployed as a precautionary measure, but no surface water impacts have been documented at this time. The Alabama Forestry Commission is also assisting by monitoring the wildfires within the containment lines.
Robert Bentley declares statewide State of Emergency ahead of storms
Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statewide “State of Emergency” Tuesday in anticipation of strong storms, which are expected to produce flash flooding and tornadoes across Alabama, according to the National Weather Service. “I was briefed on the severe weather by Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Director Art Faulkner this afternoon, and based on the evidence from the National Weather Service, it is necessary to issue this state of emergency to ensure state resources are available and can be deployed in a timely manner, if necessary,” Bentley said in a press release. “Alabamians are no stranger to severe weather, and as state agencies are preparing, I encourage all Alabamians to take this threat seriously and prepare for impact of severe weather. Now is the time for citizens to ensure they have a method to receive the latest weather updates and know the locations of the nearest community safe rooms. It is proven that community safe rooms save lives.” Bentley further ordered the State Emergency Operations Center in Clanton to activate to level three, a designation which allows AEMA staff to monitor weather across the state. The declaration encourages school authorities to make decisions regarding closing schools and offices and allows for those schools to move for waivers in regard to lost calendar days. The declaration further states that it is unlawful to charge exorbitant rates for commodities during the emergency.
