Governor Ivey has issued a state of emergency for the state of Alabama, effective at 7:00 a.m. this morning.

The declaration comes as Tropical Storm Nate seems to have set its eyes on the Alabama coast. Ivey made the announcement at a news conference Thursday along with emergency management and weather officials.

Tropical Storm Nate is expected to begin affecting the southern parts of the state early this weekend. It is likely to bring high winds and isolated flooding to several parts of the state. Be sure to remain weather aware, and keep up with the latest news about the storm with your local weather sources.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a press release that stated:

Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or sustaining damage. Trailer-able boats should be pulled from the water, tied securely to trailers and stored in places not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to update their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon registration, and secure EPIRBs safely to vessels prior to a major storm. These devices often float free from vessels in marinas or at docks during hurricanes and signal a distress when there is none, endangering crews that respond when it isn’t necessary.

During the height of the storm, rescue assistance may be unavailable. Boaters and citizens should heed storm warnings, take early action to stay safe, and protect themselves and their families.

Reinforcing the dangers of this storm, the Coast Guard continued, saying:

All mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in these ports and that the port is safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. For planning purposes, all oceangoing vessels and barges over 500 gross tons will be required to depart the ports and head out to sea when Hurricane Condition Yankee is set; generally 24 hours before the on-set of gale force winds. Inland vessels and barges greater than 500 gross tons are required to seek safe refuge in a port outside of the impacted ports.

All marine interests must take early and substantial action to ensure safety of the port and vessels. Future port conditions cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, but provided the storm remains on the projected course and track, port stakeholders should expect port conditions to continue to change for the next 48-72 hours.

Mariners can stay updated on the latest port conditions through the Coast Guard Sector  Mobile Homeport website.