More rain expected today

Governor declares disaster in county

By Stephanie Nelson (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Monday, March 30, 2009

Residents should immediately make preparations for a third round of severe weather — one that might include flooding and more road closures — from a system that could dump up to 10 inches of rain on an already waterlogged Covington County.

Kristi Stamnes, county emergency management agency director, said preliminary reports from the National Weather Service in Mobile say the county could receive up to 6 inches of rain Tuesday.

“The rundown as of right now is saying up to 6 inches — it could be less — as thunderstorms and heavy winds come through,” Stamnes said. “It’s expected to slack off on Wednesday, but come back strong on Thursday with the possibility of 4 inches of rain.

“So, people need to get prepared for the worst case scenario,” she said. “Of course, we hope we don’t see it, but we should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Already, Gov. Bob Riley has declared a disaster area in Covington and 11 other counties. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to assist communities, make the appropriate assessments of damage and seek state and federal assistance for the affected areas.

The governor’s declaration came in the wake of wind damage and flooding that had closed 25 by Monday morning. Stamnes said there could be issues of flooding as the new system makes its way through the county.

“Especially these low-lying areas throughout the county,” she said. “If there is water standing there now, with the additional rain, those areas are going to rise. If an area is known to flood, residents living in those areas need to find a safe location from the weather.”

As a result, Stamnes said now is the time to make precautions against the flooding — such as sandbagging around structures, gathering supplies and making alternative arrangements.

“If the area is already wet and has standing water, take precautions,” she said. “Watch roadways and rivers — especially dirt roads. We have a lot of areas in the county that are known to flood. Those areas are going to be weak and washed now. With the additional rain, we don’t know what might happen.”

Areas such as State Hwy. 55 and U.S. Hwy. 84 in River Falls could be covered with water, she said.

“If we receive as much rain as they are predicting, water could cross the highway,” she said.

Forecasters predict the showers and thunderstorms will move in sometime after lunch today. By Wednesday, the chance of rain decreases to 30 percent, but by Thursday it will increase to 50 percent with wind gusts as high as 20 miles per hour.

Friday is expected to bring sunny skies and a high near 75 degrees.

But even as the rain subsides, the threat of flooding and rising water will still exist in the county, Stamnes said.

“Even after the rain is gone, we have to worry about the waters from the north of us,” she said. “That additional water could prove to be a problem for us. People need to continue to listen for additional road closings and weather reports.”

The governor’s declaration came after House Speaker Seth Hammett requested it Monday morning. The county commission has called an emergency meeting at 9:30 a.m. today to declare a state of local emergency. Florala officials declared a their municipality a local state of emergency on Saturday.

Other counties in which the governor made the same declaration are Baldwin, Clarke, Coffee, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Houston, Henry and Washington.