MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Friday encouraged all Alabamians to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane making landfall along theGulf Coast next week.
Latest forecast models show Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall somewhere along the central Gulf Coast late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
“Now is the time for you and your family to make sure you have the proper supplies and plans in place,” Governor Bentley said. “Inland areas of the state could also be affected. We are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Isaac, and we encourage everyone to monitor changing weather conditions over the next several days.”
Just Thursday, Governor Bentley announced the launch of the renewed Ready Alabama initiative to help people prepare ahead of natural disasters. The Ready Alabama website, www.readyalabama.gov, includes extensive instructions and suggestions on how to prepare for events such as hurricanes. Information from Ready Alabama is also available on Twitter by following @readyalabama.
State officials joined Governor Bentley in encouraging Alabamians to keep a close watch on Isaac’s development over the weekend.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for Alabama residents to take Tropical Storm Isaac seriously,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said. “With the uncertainties surrounding this storm, people should not wait until the last minute to be prepared.”
The Alabama EMA also has additional information online at www.ema.alabama.gov and on Twitter @AlabamaEMA.
Governor Bentley and Alabama EMA officials are actively monitoring the storm’s development and will issue updates as needed.
