Dauphin Island, Alabama, already began to feel the effects of Hurricane Michael, which is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle as a Category 3 storm on Oct. 10.
WKRG reported that the west end of the island has started to experience “some low-level flooding” before the storm’s landfall.
In Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, states of emergency were declared before Hurricane Michael to free up resources for an emergency response.
“Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities.”
Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier told WKRG that if the storm heads more to the east, the island will experience less flooding. Earlier in 2018, Tropical Storm Gordon brought flooding to the area.
Dauphin Island has been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan flooded the about a fourth of the island with several feet of water, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 did damage to buildings there. Hurricane Camille in 1969 severely flooded the island.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated in its recent update Hurricane Michael will hit the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday before hitting the southeastern United States on Wednesday night and Thursday.
“Michael is expected to become a major hurricane later today, and remain a dangerous major hurricane through landfall. Significant weakening should occur as the center moves inland over the southeastern United States, but re-strengthening as an extratropical low is expected when the system moves over the western Atlantic,” reads a discussion of the storm from the NHC.
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