Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency in response to Hurricane Delta, a storm expected to make landfall in the United States between Thursday night and Friday morning.
Mobile and Baldwin Counties are most at risk in Alabama; both are within the possible paths of the storm, according to projections. The current path of Delta has experts predicting the brunt of the damage will be taken by Louisiana and Mississippi.
“As our coastal areas are still recovering from Hurricane Sally, another system, Hurricane Delta, is making its way toward the Gulf Coast and could potentially have a significant impact on Alabama,” commented Ivey.
The governor’s proclamation can be read here.
Delta is currently a Category 4 hurricane on course to hit the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico Wednesday morning, after which experts say it is likely to strengthen again in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico before hitting America’s Gulf Coast between sunset Thursday and sunrise on Friday.
As of 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Delta is likely to create “life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds, especially along the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, beginning on Friday.”
“Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place,” the NHC adds.
“I signed a State of Emergency to begin Alabama’s preparation process and position us to be able to declare a pre-landfall disaster declaration with FEMA,” the governor continued.
In addition to the coastal area, the NHC warns that the Tennessee Valley and the entire Southeastern United States could see heavy rain and flash flooding later this week as Delta moves north.
Alabamians on the coast are now under three separate states of emergency, one for COVID-19, one for Hurricane Sally, and now the third for Delta. States of emergency last 60 days unless terminated or extended.
“As residents along the Gulf Coast know all too well, these storms are unpredictable, and I strongly encourage everyone to take Hurricane Delta seriously,” Ivey advised.
Each year, 21 storm names are allotted by the World Meteorological Organization. If more than 21 storms rise to the level of needing a name, the subsequent storms are given names according to the Greek alphabet, hence Hurricane Delta, the 25th named storm of the year.
“We are keeping a close eye on this approaching storm and we will continue providing all necessary updates,” Ivey concluded.
EDITOR’S UPDATE 3:25 p.m.
Governor Ivey has issued a supplemental State of Emergency that mandates evacuation of everyone besides residents or essential workers in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island and the unincorporated areas of Ono Island and Fort Morgan.
“Working with local leaders in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island and the unincorporated areas of Ono Island and Fort Morgan, it has been determined that all visitors and tourists should proceed with a mandatory evacuation of the Alabama Gulf Coast starting first thing tomorrow morning,” Ivey stated. “This is for their safety and well-being, as well as for the safety and well-being of locals who are working to prepare their communities in the event Hurricane Delta tracks more easterly.”
“Unless you are a local resident with a hurricane pass or have a pass or decal that has been issued to contractors, property management or other businesses working in response to Hurricane Sally, this mandatory evacuation notice should help us prepare for the worst, even as we hope for the best,” she added.
Ivey has also released a video message.
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Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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