Late Monday night Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Alabama, warned that Hurricane Sally poses a serious threat to Southwest Alabama. Byrne announced that the Trump administration approved Gov. Kay Ivey’s request for an emergency declaration.
“Hurricane Sally poses a serious threat to Southwest Alabama, and I thank the Trump Administration for offering the full support of the federal government by granting Governor Ivey’s request for an emergency declaration,” Byrne said.
Residents in the projected path of the storm should take all possible precautions and remain informed as this powerful storm makes landfall, Byrne said.
“In addition to high winds, Sally will bring significant rainfall and storm surge, so all residents in the path of the storm should take this threat seriously and listen to advice from experts,” he said. “I will continue working closely with the White House, National Weather Service, FEMA, and state and local leaders as we proactively mobilize to deal with this storm and its aftermath.”
Ivey requested the pre-landfall emergency declaration for the state of Alabama ahead of Hurricane Sally in a 5:45 p.m. phone call with FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor and Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf.
“As projections for Hurricane Sally continue to develop, and as Alabama will likely receive significant impact from this system, I have requested a pre-landfall emergency declaration for the state,” Ivey said. “The White House and Trump Administration have been extremely helpful as we have anticipated a potential hit from Sally. I thank President Trump for being a terrific partner for our state as we make preparations.”
Hurricane Sally has slowed in speed, which may lead to historic levels of rainfall along parts of the Gulf Coast and South Alabama, but the slowed speed has weakened the storm’s winds. It is currently projected to make landfall early Wednesday.
The hurricane currently has sustained winds of 85 miles per hour and gusts of 100 mph. The National Hurricane Center is currently forecasting that Sally will make landfall near the Alabama-Mississippi border early Wednesday as a hurricane or upper-end tropical storm. Alabama will receive the brunt of the storm’s eastern side.
“As Hurricane Sally moves across Alabama, be sure your family has a plan in place should it be necessary,” said Congresswoman Martha Roby. “Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency, including the closing of all Alabama beaches, effective today at 3:00 pm.”
“The National Hurricane Center and my office will continue to monitor this storm,” Roby said. “Please be sure to stay alert and aware of any severe weather watches and warnings in your area.”
Byrne’s office said that the congressman has proactively worked with local emergency management agencies and elected officials and encouraged coastal residents to make hurricane preparations. Just last week, Byrne held a Facebook Live discussion with National Weather Service meteorologist Jeffrey Medlin.
A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning are in effect for Mobile and Baldwin Counties. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Washington, Clarke and Choctaw counties with a Flash Flood Watch for most counties south of Interstate 20.
