Today media outlets are communicating on a regular basis information related to Irma and how it will affect a wide area of people across the southeast.
I, along with many other agency representatives and elected officials, attended a briefing hosted by the National Weather Service this afternoon and this is how I understand it will, in general, affect Elmore County. I have also included other information as well.
We have seen wind speeds increase today and are gusting in some areas of Elmore county. It is forecast that sustained wind speeds will start to increase Monday morning and by Monday afternoon we should start seeing the first of the 20-40 mph sustained winds.
Monday evening Elmore county will start feeling the effects of sustained winds speeds of 30-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph and will remain forceful until early Tuesday morning.
It is forecast our area will receive 2-4″ of rain during the time this storm travels through our area starting Monday morning.
Impacts we can expect are down trees and power lines
If your power goes out call Alabama Power or Central Alabama Electric, whichever company services your area. If there is a power line down, call 911 to report this hazardous condition.
The county highway department started last week positioning response equipment that might be needed and will be positioning additional equipment around the county Monday morning.
At this point there is a lower potential for tornadoes for those in ELCO than our neighbors to the east of us.
Currently 17 Safer Places locations are open in Elmore County. These are not FEMA approved sites but are safer places of refuge where people can go. To find these sites go to www.elmorecoema.com . Anything you need to sustain yourself while at these sites should be brought with you. Meals and comfort items will not be provided at these sites.
The Elmore County Emergency Operations Center will be at an activation Level 2 early Monday morning where this storm and its impact on out area will be monitored by Elmore county EMA personal along with responding agencies representatives.
We appreciate all of our local responding agencies that are prepared to serve our citizens when needed and especially our volunteer fire departments in the county for being such a vital part of this effort.
Be very aware of the weather conditions as they can change quickly.
Bart
