Central mayor proclaims March Flood Awareness Month; announces forecast tool and city events

Mayor Wade Evans proclaimed March as Flood Awareness Month for parts of the AME River Basin and urged residents to learn risk-reduction measures. "I, Wade Evans, mayor of Central, do back here by proclaim March 25 or March 2025 flood awareness month," Evans said during the council meeting.

The proclamation follows remarks about a river-forecasting tool the city rolled out this year. Evans said the tool — accessible from the city website — builds on earlier work with Councilman Meyer and will be featured in a public briefing with engineering staff and Dr. Steve Capirada to explain projections and forecasting methods.

Evans also announced the State of the City address will be delivered March 12 during the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He listed several upcoming community events, including a veterans motorcycle parade on March 18 and the arrival of the Wall That Heals to Life Tabernacle Church; the parade route and event details are posted on the city's Facebook page.

Why it matters: central Alabama communities within the basin have experienced major spring floods in past years, and the mayor framed the proclamation and the forecast tool as steps to inform residents before high-risk months.

Council members and staff discussed outreach and community engagement tied to the forecast tool. Councilman Meyer was credited with starting the gauge work that informed the new site. The mayor said the tool will include a special presentation with engineering staff and Dr. Capirada to walk residents through forecast results.

The council did not adopt any new flood-control ordinance or allocate new funding during the meeting; the item on the agenda was a proclamation and information-sharing only.

Evans closed the items by thanking council members for their work this term and inviting questions; none were posed. He encouraged attendance at the March events and at planned forecast briefings.