CLANTON – At the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency,

Governor Bob Riley declared an official state of emergency in Alabama today

due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Fay. The emergency declaration

enables the Governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures.

The Alabama National Guard has worked with AEMA to deploy four, five-ton

trucks and drivers to Baldwin, Geneva, Houston and Mobile Counties. These

trucks will be in place in the event a rescue mission is necessary.

“Based upon on the track of TS Fay some of the Southern counties are likely

to receive a significant amount of rain and possible damage, and that’s why

it’s important to have this declaration in place” Governor Riley said.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is directed to make the

appropriate assessments of damages and seek the necessary state and

federal assistance for the affected areas.

As of 8AM today (Saturday), the State Emergency Operating Center is

operating at level three. The SEOC is closely monitoring estimated rain

projections and flood zones. The Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) teams are in Alabama working with AEMA to provide a liaison between

the two agencies.

“We want Alabama residents to know TS Fay has the potential to produce

severe weather and therefore we want to stress the need for individual

preparedness, said Brock Long. “It’s our mission to assist the residents of

Alabama, but it’s essential for everyone to have an emergency preparedness

kit, know their evacuation route and listen to the direction of local officials.”