Gov. Robert Bentley has a declared a state of emergency in advance of strong storms expected to hit the state beginning early Wednesday morning. The statewide declaration will be in effect until the threats have passed, the governor says.
The National Weather Service is predicting severe weather that may include destructive and long-track tornadoes, hail as large as baseballs and damaging straight line winds for several counties. The weather event could contain two or three waves of scattered storms, according to the National Weather Service.
“Alabama is no stranger to the impact severe weather can have on communities and the devastation that can occur when the weather takes a turn for the worse,” Bentley said in a prepared statement. “I have issued a State of Emergency as a precautionary measure to ensure state resources are on standby and are ready to assist impacted communities should the need arise. I also want to encourage individuals to stay weather aware and have a method to receive the latest weather alerts.”
Bentley ordered the State Emergency Operations Center in Clanton activated to level three. This will allow the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to monitor the impact of the severe weather as it crosses the state. In addition, fifty National Guard soldiers will be prepared to respond.
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