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August 28, 2005 Governor Riley Says Supplies Ready to Assist Hurricane Victims CLANTON – Alabama has pre-positioned supplies, dispatched National Guard troops to Mobile and Baldwin counties, and opened emergency shelters in advance of Hurricane Katrina, Governor Bob Riley said. “Selma is serving as FEMA’s supply staging area for Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and we’ve pre-positioned other supplies at Maxwell Air Force Base,” said Governor Riley. “I’ve spoken with President Bush and Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff, both of whom have assured me they will offer any assistance we may need to recover from this devastating storm.” Governor Riley said the state already has 290,000 bags of ice, more than 250,000 gallons of water, 652,000 MREs (meals ready to eat), and 110,000 tarps measuring 20 feet by 25 feet. Bruce Baughman, Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said 14 rescue teams are on standby and 26 emergency shelters, including three for people with special medical needs, are open across the state. “State EMA coordinators are working side-by-side with local emergency officials to expedite any requests for state assistance,” Baughman said. Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist in Charge of the Birmingham National Weather Service Office, said Katrina is a storm of historic proportions. “Based on the latest forecast, a storm surge of around 20 feet is possible in the northern part of Mobile Bay. This would be the highest surge level ever experienced in Mobile. A storm tide of 10 to 12 feet is expected along coastal Baldwin County,” Stefkovich said. “We can experience isolated tornadoes anytime and hurricane force winds hitting the coast after midnight.” State officials strongly urge citizens to closely monitor the hurricane’s approach through their local media and local emergency management agencies. ### For more on Hurricane Katrina, visit http://www.governor.state.al.us. | |
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