Mobile city representatives are urging residents to prepare immediately for Hurricane Isaias, as impacts are expected to begin Friday morning. Governor Kay Ivey announced that state offices in Baldwin and Mobile counties will close at noon on Friday in response to the approaching storm.
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis held a news conference at the Mobile Police Department’s First Precinct on Dauphin Island Parkway, emphasizing the need for quick action. The First Precinct is one of two designated locations where residents can fill sandbags to protect their property. The other sandbag distribution site is located at James Seals Park.
Mayor Cheriogotis specifically advised neighbors living east of Interstate 65 and south of Interstate 10 to establish a clear evacuation or shelter plan. City officials stressed the importance of residents staying off roads once the storm arrives, enabling police and fire crews to concentrate their efforts on emergency responses.
Further safety warnings were issued to residents throughout the city. Drivers are cautioned to "turn around, don’t drown" when encountering flooded areas. For those planning to use generators, officials instruct that they must be operated only outside and positioned away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide hazards. After the storm passes, residents are reminded to keep debris clear from fire hydrants, ensuring unobstructed access for emergency services.
Mayor Cheriogotis underscored the urgency of preparations, stating, "Now is the time to get prepared." He advised checking flashlight batteries and securing extra water supplies, noting that the community would "start feeling the effects of this storm as soon as tomorrow morning."
Regarding municipal services, garbage pickup is still scheduled for Friday. However, officials advised residents to retrieve their trash cans promptly after collection to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in high winds.
For Mobile County residents who require a safe place during the storm, three shelters will open Friday morning at 8 o’clock. These designated safe havens are Theodore High School, Baker High School, and Collins-Rhodes Elementary School.
Residents needing transportation to one of these shelters can meet at The Shoppes at Bel Air Mall. Rides will be available from this location starting Friday morning at 9 a.m.
