AGP Executive Report

Storm’s Alabama Toll: Hurricane Isaias left two people dead in Alabama, including a Birmingham resident killed when a tree struck a home. Falling trees and power lines also damaged homes and roads, injured a Dale County deputy and trapped a family in Greenville. Power and Cleanup: Hundreds of thousands of Alabama customers lost electricity; crews are clearing debris and restoring service, with outages still affecting communities statewide. Lingering Hazards: Isaias weakened after making landfall near Destin, Florida, but heavy rain and flood risks continued as it moved inland. Officials urged residents to avoid downed lines and use generators outdoors, away from homes. Gulf Energy: The storm forced shutdowns of about 63% of Gulf of Mexico oil production, as operators evacuated offshore workers.

Isaias Recovery: Post-tropical cyclone Isaias tore across Alabama after making landfall near Florida’s Destin, killing two people in the state and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Fallen trees and damaged power lines made travel hazardous, while heavy rain, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes remained threats as the storm moved inland. Cleanup: Utility crews began restoring service as officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads and stay clear of downed lines.

Hurricane Aftermath: Isaias made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm, then weakened to a post-tropical cyclone over southern Alabama. Hundreds of thousands of customers in Alabama and Florida lost power as wind and flooding brought down trees and blocked roads; Houston County closed all roads amid dangerous conditions. Ongoing Hazards: Forecasters warned that heavy rain, flash flooding and possible tornadoes could continue as the system moves inland. Residents should stay off flooded or debris-strewn roads and follow local emergency updates. Recovery: Federal emergency assistance has been approved for Alabama. The state Insurance Department says it is monitoring claims and assisting residents with storm-related insurance questions.

Hurricane Isaias: The Category 3 storm is bringing strong winds to the Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall tonight near the Alabama-Florida line. Forecasters warn of life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain, flash flooding and possible tornadoes, with dangerous conditions spreading inland Saturday. Alabama Response: Gov. Kay Ivey declared an emergency and ordered visitors to leave parts of Baldwin County and Dauphin Island. Coastal facilities are closed, and officials urge residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid flooded roads. Power and Flooding: Alabama Power has mobilized crews, with thousands more coming from other states to help restore outages after the storm. Forecasts call for several inches of rain, with locally higher totals and damaging wind gusts that could bring down trees and power lines. Gulf Industry: Operators have shut in more than 60% of Gulf oil production as the storm threatens offshore platforms and refineries. Warm Gulf waters helped Isaias intensify rapidly, according to reports.

Hurricane Threat: Category 2 Hurricane Isaias, packing 105-mph winds, is forecast to reach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, most likely near the Alabama-Florida line. Storm surge could reach 5 to 7 feet in some areas, with heavy rain, flooding and isolated tornadoes posing dangers inland. Alabama Readiness: Gov. Kay Ivey declared an emergency in 40 counties and ordered nonresidents to leave Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island. Emergency crews are deploying toward the coast, while Gulf State Park and other coastal facilities are closed. Storm Impacts: Officials warn residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid flooded roads as the storm moves ashore. Isaias could bring heavy rain and damaging winds well beyond the coast.

Hurricane Isaias: The strengthening storm is expected to reach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, bringing dangerous winds, storm surge, heavy rain and possible flooding and tornadoes to Alabama. Coastal Preparations: Gov. Kay Ivey has declared an emergency in 40 counties. Evacuations are ordered for parts of Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach; Mobile County plans to open three shelters Friday morning. Stay Safe: Officials urge residents to stock food, water and medication, monitor trusted alerts and avoid driving through floodwater. FEMA is staging supplies at Maxwell Air Force Base, and the Red Cross is preparing to assist communities.

Hurricane Isaias: The season’s first Atlantic hurricane is strengthening ahead of a Friday-night or Saturday landfall near the Alabama-Florida coast. Warnings cover the Gulf Coast, and Alabama has declared an emergency in 40 counties. Forecasters warn of damaging winds, 3–7 inches of rain, flash flooding and up to 5–7 feet of storm surge in some coastal areas. Industrial Recycling: Novelis has produced the first coil at its $5 billion Bay Minette aluminum plant. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to recycle more than 15 billion used beverage cans a year; commercial shipments are planned for 2027. Air Quality Oversight: Alabama’s ABC Coke is operating under an expired air permit as regulators stall, raising questions about enforcement and pollution oversight.

Hurricane Isaias: The Gulf storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday. Hurricane and storm-surge watches cover parts of the Alabama coast. Forecasters warn of dangerous coastal flooding, damaging winds and heavy rain, with 3–6 inches possible and isolated totals near 10 inches. The exact track and strength remain uncertain, but Mobile Bay and coastal Alabama are in the threat area. Local Preparations: Gulf Shores canceled the National Shrimp Festival over safety concerns, and Alabama State moved its homecoming game to Friday morning and canceled Friday classes. Residents should follow local emergency guidance and prepare for possible flooding and power outages. Earlier Flooding: Recent heavy rain also brought flash-flood alerts to parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Gulf Hurricane Watch: Tropical Depression Nine has formed in the Gulf and is forecast to strengthen into Hurricane Isaias, with heavy rain (3–6 inches, localized higher) and dangerous wind and flooding risks for the central Gulf Coast; Florida has issued a state of emergency for 25 counties as forecasters warn conditions could worsen quickly. Game-Day Weather: Alabama says there are no plans to change the Alabama–Georgia matchup, but the SEC and local officials are monitoring forecasts as rain and gusty winds could disrupt travel and outdoor plans. Local Preparedness & Impacts: Schools and communities across South Alabama are adjusting schedules in anticipation of the storm, including moving some high school football games earlier. Severe-Weather Tech Push: U.S. Rep. Dale Strong is backing a proposal to modernize the nation’s weather radar network, including funding for Radar Next that could improve severe-weather readiness in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Conservation Spotlight: Dismals Canyon in Franklin County is highlighted as a biologically diverse National Natural Landmark, with staff noting new discoveries even after decades. Data Center Scrutiny: Brookwood City Council backed an Applied Digital AI data center deal after community concerns about environmental impacts and transparency.

Gulf Storm Watch: Forecasters say Invest 92L in the Bay of Campeche has a high chance of becoming Tropical Storm Isaias and possibly a hurricane, with heavy rain and flash-flood risk growing for the northern Gulf Coast—including Alabama—later this week into the weekend. State Policy & Climate: Alabama AG Steve Marshall warned that the U.S. Supreme Court’s climate lawsuit against Boulder could raise costs for Alabama consumers well beyond gas prices if state tort claims are allowed to proceed. Cybersecurity: The Alabama Board of Nursing says a ransomware attack may have exposed sensitive personal and health information for nurses and applicants, with services disrupted since Sept. 1. Local Government & Growth: Fort Payne City Council approved a tax abatement for new manufacturing machinery at Valley Joist and Deck, a $2.6 million investment. Conservation: Georgia DNR and partners announced a deal to restore Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, protecting 14,640 acres for wildlife and public recreation. Community Safety: Morgan County reports truancy court cases dropped nearly 70% after a voluntary Helping Families Initiative that connects families to support early.

Gulf Storm Watch: A Gulf disturbance is gaining strength potential, with the NHC giving an 80% chance of tropical development within a week and warning of heavy rain and localized flooding for Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Flood Risk in Alabama Region: Alabama and nearby areas are already under flood watches as repeated rounds of rain threaten to ramp up this weekend. Climate Court Fight: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joined a 26-state coalition at U.S. Supreme Court arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, where justices weighed whether local governments can sue oil companies over climate damages under state law. Local Water Concerns: After heavy rain, murky water was spotted near a Margaritaville resort construction site in Orange Beach; the developer says there was no breach and blames turbidity from stormwater management. Emergency Tech Drill: UAH hosted Alabama Shield 2026, a statewide disaster exercise testing drone use for search-and-rescue, damage assessment, HAZMAT reconnaissance and airspace coordination. Wildlife Rabies Control: USDA plans oral rabies vaccine bait drops in western North Carolina and surrounding states, including northcentral Alabama, to slow rabies spread. Energy Infrastructure Policy: The Supreme Court case could shape how energy infrastructure is regulated, with Alabama pushing that federal law should govern.

Gulf Storm Watch: A developing Gulf disturbance—now Invest 92L/92W—has high odds of becoming a tropical cyclone, with heavy rain and localized flooding expected across the central and south Alabama region late this week into the weekend, and possible impacts even if it weakens near the coast. Climate Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County over whether oil companies can be sued under state law for climate-related damages; Alabama AG Steve Marshall and other states backed energy workers, arguing federal law should control. Local Weather & Flood Risk: Forecasters warn rain chances rise again this weekend, with tropical moisture potentially bringing periods of rain to Alabama, including the Tuscaloosa area. Cold Storage Expansion: PermaCold plans a 121,270-square-foot temperature-controlled warehouse at Albertville Industrial Park, backed by $40 million in New Markets Tax Credits and expected to add 50+ jobs, boosting refrigerated logistics near Alabama’s poultry corridor. Wildlife Health: USDA will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits for wildlife in western North Carolina and surrounding states, including northcentral Alabama, to slow the virus’s spread.

Gulf Storm Watch & Flood Risk: A Gulf low is building with a “medium chance” of tropical development, and forecasters warn another soggy weekend could bring heavy rain and flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle through Alabama and into the Carolinas. Coastal Alabama Alerts: Sunday brought flash flood warnings for Mobile County and southeastern Baldwin County, with 2–4 inches already falling in spots and more possible. Tornado Threat: A tornado warning was issued west of Gulf Shores after radar showed rotation aloft over coastal Baldwin County. Local Resilience & Planning: Mobile’s Brookley by the Bay project is moving ahead, with the City Council set to consider a $9 million state grant for Phase 1b, including water-play and environmental-themed recreation. Community & Nature: Hazel Green hosted its Honey Bee Festival, highlighting beekeeping and local agriculture ties. Public Health Recall: More frozen berry products were recalled over possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s items.

Flood Watch & Tropical Rain: A Flash Flood Watch is active for Mobile, Baldwin, Geneva and Houston counties (plus the Florida Panhandle), with more than 2 inches of rain possible and the biggest risk for low-lying roads and poor drainage as heavy Gulf rain continues. Stormwater Flooding Response: Vestavia is taking steps to address stormwater flooding, focusing on infrastructure readiness as downpours intensify. Coastal Weather for Game Night: Forecasters say a developing tropical system could bring heavy rain to Alabama’s matchup vs. Georgia, with timing still uncertain but rainfall the main concern. Local Land Conservation: Milton is considering a $20,000 conservation easement for about 185 acres at Birmingham Park to protect forests, wildlife habitat, water resources and scenic character. PFAS Cleanup Tech: Claros and Daikin plan full-scale PFAS destruction technology at an Alabama plant. Plastic Recycling Pushback: Protesters across New York targeted Starbucks over claims that its single-use plastic cups are recyclable, arguing they often end up in landfills or incinerators. Beef Month: Gov. Ivey proclaimed October as Beef Month in Alabama, highlighting the state’s cattle industry.

Drought Watch: The U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Perry County in severe drought (98.9%), with Hale County at 99.7%—a sharp jump from earlier in September—while statewide dryness is worsening (only 12% free of drought). Water Pollution: In Opelika, dead fish found in Halawakee Creek are tied to a leaking sewer manhole, with the city and Alabama DE​M aware and the Riverkeeper saying there’s no confirmed drinking-water impact yet. Flood & Storm Risk: A wet weekend is building for the Gulf Coast, with a flood watch for parts of southwest Alabama and a high risk of rip currents along Alabama beaches. State Oversight: Gov. Kay Ivey replaced five of seven Alabama Public Television Commission members after an APT survey found most respondents favor continuing PBS ties. Local Health Deal: Orlando Health finalized its acquisition of RMC Health System in Anniston, renaming it Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital and planning upgrades over five years.

Drought Watch: The U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Perry County in severe drought (98.9%), with Hale County at 99.7% and statewide dryness worsening since early September. Water Pollution: In Opelika, dead fish in Halawakee Creek were traced to a leaking sewer manhole, raising concerns for downstream waters that flow toward Lake Harding. Coastal Restoration: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is testing 3D-printed oyster reef domes in Mobile Bay made from dredged sediment, aiming to turn navigation maintenance into habitat recovery. Severe Weather Risk: A weekend washout is building across Alabama and the Gulf region, with a flash-flood threat level 2 out of 4 and forecasts of 2–3 inches (or more near the coast). Outdoor & Wildlife: Alabama’s new ADCNR commissioner career spotlight highlights conservation work, while a Shorter-area rattlesnake sighting underscores how quickly wildlife-human encounters can happen near roads.