Baldwin County agencies prepare for Wednesday’s severe weather

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Large waves and two red flags are flying in Gulf Shores as a severe weather system heads our way.

Gulf Shores Surf Rescue spent the day preparing for the system.

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Joethan Phillips with Gulf Shores Surf Rescue said he and his team are ready.

“Tomorrow, we may not have our guards in the towers, but we will have the lifeguards patrolling up and down the beach, making contact with people and just educate them,” Phillips said. “Some people do not know about the double red flags, so we want to make contact with those people and just let them know.”

Another Baldwin County agency, the emergency management agency, held a briefing with their partners on Tuesday to go over plans and actions.

Tom Tyler with the EMA said they will have extra staff on standby.

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“We are looking at staffing in the EOC,” Tyler said. “The emergency operation center will be overstaffed until the threat is over tomorrow night at some point in time, and we just want to be ready and be sure that the resources are in place.”

With the level three risk on Wednesday’s forecast, Phillips said he has a plan for his team in case things get out of hand.

“We have a monitoring system that we monitor lightning and storms are coming,” Phillips said. “We have protocols to where if it’s at a certain distance, we start warning the patrons at the beach. And when it gets to be within 10 miles, lifeguards are off the beach. That’s our last call.”

Tyler also advised all Baldwin County residents to download Alert Baldwin for all watches, warnings and up-to-date information.

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