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Covington County EMA warns of potential hurricane, urges preparedness
Summary
EMA director Susan Harris told commissioners the storm system could strengthen to hurricane status, bring tropical-storm-force winds and 4–5 inches of rain, and said the county should prepare and staff its emergency operations center; an 11:30 update and slides were promised.
Susan Harris, director of Covington County Emergency Management Agency, briefed commissioners with the 05:00 update and warned the system could strengthen and move close to the county.
"This is the 05:00 update this morning," Harris said as she walked through the forecast track and classifications. She described tropical-storm-force winds of 39–73 mph and noted that hurricane-force winds begin at 74 mph. Harris told the commission forecasters expect roughly 4 inches of rain in the county, "could be up to 5," and gave a roughly 13% chance for the county area based on the morning run.
Harris said the prime timing for county impacts is Thursday night into Friday morning and urged readiness: the county’s engineer and EMA would prepare, and the emergency operations center should be staffed if conditions hold. She summarized the disaster-declaration process, saying that if the county activates and adopts a resolution it goes to the governor and onward to federal channels; during that phase response personnel work around the clock and the county provides food and essential support for responders.
Commissioners asked operational questions about staffing and what contingency resources would be needed. Harris invited commissioners to a follow-up conference call and said she would send slides: "Y'all can attend the conference call in our EOC if you like or if not I'll send the slides."
The commission approved two small, immediate discretionary transfers discussed during the briefing (see related coverage). Harris said she will issue another scheduled update at 11:30 and continue email notices to commissioners.
The update closed with commissioners agreeing to watch forecasts and prepare to staff the emergency operations center if conditions warrant.
