AGP Executive Report

Flood Watch: The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch for central Alabama counties (including Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair) from 7 a.m. Monday through Monday evening, warning of flooding from excessive rainfall and poor drainage in low-lying and urban areas. Storm Impacts on Roads: Heavy rain already triggered street flooding and closures in Gadsden (Chestnut Street closed at 23rd Street) and flooding-related road and power issues in Attalla, including a closed railroad overpass. Coastal Conservation: Orange Beach marked World Oceans Day with a local tie-in to Alabama’s Artificial Reef Program, which adds reef structure to support Gulf fish habitat. Local Waste Cleanup: Tuscaloosa held its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, giving residents a safe way to drop off paints, batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals, and other hazardous materials. Resiliency Funding: Foley secured $2.063 million to bury vulnerable downtown utility lines to improve storm recovery and resilience. Gulf Access Project: Gulf Shores applied for up to $6.98 million in GOMESA grant funding for beachfront district roadway, pedestrian, and wetland boardwalk upgrades.

Household Hazardous Waste: Tuscaloosa held its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, giving residents a free way to drop off paint, batteries, pesticides, cleaners, and other materials that shouldn’t go in trash or drains. Storms & Flooding: North Alabama faces flash-flood risk as heavy rain moves through the Tennessee Valley; warnings and road closures were reported, with flooding impacting homes and businesses. Coastal Resilience Funding: Gulf Shores applied for up to $6.98 million in GOMESA grant money to improve access and safety in its beachfront district, including bike/ped paths and wetland boardwalks. Utility Hardening: Foley secured $2.063 million to bury vulnerable downtown utility lines to speed storm recovery and protect key corridors. Wildlife Conservation: In Baldwin County, gopher tortoises found during development were surveyed and relocated to a wildlife management area after burrows were discovered at a Daphne project site. Personal Safety Training: Tuscaloosa’s free women’s self-defense course hit capacity fast, with another session planned for July or August.

Severe Weather Watch: Central Alabama faces a Sunday “Impact Day” with heavy downpours and a flash-flood risk (level 2 of 4), with multiple rounds of storms and localized totals possibly reaching 4–6 inches. Wildlife & Habitat: Alabama is investing $17.5 million to restore longleaf pine forests, aiming to rebuild habitat that’s been reduced to a small fraction of its historic range. Coastal Conservation: Baldwin County gopher tortoises were relocated to protected habitat within their natural range ahead of development, using buffers and protections to avoid harm. Animal Health Threat: Alabama officials are monitoring a confirmed return of the New World screwworm in Texas, warning it could spread via livestock movement and wildlife. Community Safety: In Huntsville, a festival led by the NAACP urged teens to turn away from gun violence, sharing stories from mothers affected by shootings.

Storm Watch: Sunday’s forecast calls for widespread heavy rain and storms across Alabama, with flooding risk from persistent downpours even if severe weather is unlikely. Energy Equity: A new Sierra Club dashboard highlights how low-income Alabama households face some of the highest energy burdens in the nation, mapping utility costs against health impacts like asthma and past redlining patterns. Wildlife & Habitat: Alabama is backing a $17.5 million longleaf pine restoration push to rebuild habitat that’s been crushed by over-harvesting and development, with benefits for species like the gopher tortoise. Coastal Species Protection: In Baldwin County, developers and state wildlife officials relocated gopher tortoises to protected habitat before construction began, using buffers and careful burrow handling to avoid harm. Local Resilience: Riviera Utilities is offering free severe-storm preparedness sessions to help communities plan for outages, generator safety, and recovery priorities. Policy & Permitting: A U.S. Supreme Court-linked lawsuit over a World War II bomb detonation range at Tarague Beach in Guam is drawing support from 21 states and industry groups, raising questions about how environmental review can affect permitting nationwide.

Energy Burden in Alabama: A new Sierra Club dashboard shows low-income households in Alabama can pay nearly 13% of income on energy—far more than the national average—highlighting how utility costs hit hardest in rural areas and communities of color. Public Health—Swim Advisories: Alabama and Baldwin County health officials issued bacteria-related swim advisories for three Mobile Bay/Gulf State Park sites: Fairhope Public Beach, Orange Street Pier, and Gulf State Park Pavilion. Weather & Storm Risk: Alabama is bracing for sticky, humid conditions and a weekend pattern with scattered showers and storms, with heat index values climbing into the upper 90s to low 100s. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT plans nighttime resurfacing on Tuscaloosa’s Skyland Boulevard starting June 8, with lane closures restricted to overnight hours and added turn-lane improvements. Climate in the Headlines: A roundup of Alabama’s hottest Junes since 1895 underscores how rising temperatures are becoming more common.

Road & Weather Watch: ALDOT says nighttime resurfacing will resume on Tuscaloosa’s Skyland Boulevard starting Monday, June 8, from McFarland Boulevard to Pleasant Hill Drive, with left-turn lane upgrades at Hargrove Road, Palisades Drive and Cypress Creek Avenue; lane closures won’t be allowed 6 a.m.–8 p.m. or on UA home-game Saturdays. Heat & Climate: A new ranking finds June 2026 is among the hottest Junes in Alabama since 1895, underscoring how rising temperatures are reshaping summer conditions. Drought Relief: Alabama’s drought eased after heavy May rain, with the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting no severe or extreme drought areas for the first time since Aug. 2025. Gulf Hazards: Coastal advisories warn of rip currents and high surf along Alabama and the northwest Florida Panhandle through at least Saturday night. Storm Resilience Funding: Foley received more than $2 million to bury vulnerable downtown utilities to speed recovery ahead of hurricanes. Water & Recreation: A Gadsden grant will fund engineering and design for a Coosa River pedestrian bridge connecting downtown to East Gadsden. Invasive Species Alert: Georgia officials urge residents to report or kill Argentine black-and-white tegus, which have spread into multiple states including Alabama. Local Outdoors: Alabama’s summer guide highlights swimming holes and waterfalls worth the drive.

Coastal Hazards: A tropical wave across the Gulf has triggered a small craft advisory and a coastal flood advisory, with the National Weather Service warning Alabama and northwest Florida beachgoers to stay out of the surf due to life-threatening rip currents and high breakers through Saturday night. Public Health: Mobile County health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from tick bites as warm weather ramps up, noting symptoms can appear days to weeks later and some bites can lead to serious illness. Water & Disease Watch: Reporting highlights how a deadly Vibrio bacteria is expanding along the Atlantic, raising questions about how warm coastal waters affect risk. Missing Person (Alabama): Auburn student James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, remains missing in Kyoto, Japan; police say it’s highly probable he left intentionally, but safety concerns persist as searches continue despite heavy rain. Local Government/Environment: Alabama A&M opened a new Montgomery government affairs office, aiming to strengthen ties with state leaders—an indirect boost for future policy and community priorities.

Public Health Warning: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners is urging doctors to steer patients away from non-FDA-approved peptides after social-media hype fueled a surge in interest, with experts warning that “medical grade” quality can’t be assumed. Community Safety: Tuscaloosa County residents get a free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day on Saturday, June 6 (8–11 a.m., earlier than past years), with drop-off for items like paint, batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals, and propane tanks—plus clear limits on what won’t be accepted. Coastal Hazards: Dangerous rip currents are expected to persist along Gulf Coast beaches through the weekend, with rough surf and life-threatening conditions from Dauphin Island toward the Florida Panhandle. Weather Watch: A “Gulf blob” of storms is developing in the Gulf of America, raising odds for heavy rain and localized flooding risk across parts of Alabama and neighboring states. Wildlife & Water: A massive seaweed bloom is expected to worsen along Gulf Coast beaches this summer, adding another summer stressor for coastal ecosystems and beachgoers.

Correctional Healthcare: NaphCare issued a statement defending its Alabama Department of Corrections healthcare services after recent coverage, saying it stepped in to stabilize care and highlighting the challenges of delivering medical treatment inside secure facilities. Wildlife & Greenways: Freshwater Land Trust and partners added new wildlife signage along Homewood’s Shades Creek Greenway, turning barred owl dive-bombing incidents into a public education effort that also helped move nesting boxes off the main trail. Rare Earths & Industry: REalloys signed a non-binding letter of intent with Patriot Exploration & Mining to run test work on rare-earth materials tied to magnet metals, aiming to secure priority access to a share of production. Severe Weather & Preparedness: Forecasters flagged a rare, potentially “severe” solar storm that could bring northern lights visible across up to 23 states, while Alabama weather coverage continues to stress storm impacts and readiness. Data Centers & Water Concerns: A proposed data center in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, is drawing environmental pushback over potential downstream water quality impacts for North Alabama communities. Missing Student (Local Impact): Auburn student James “Weston” Higginbotham’s family renewed urgent pleas as the search in Japan enters its sixth day, with authorities focusing on wooded terrain near Kyoto.

Gulf Coast Flood Watch: A “Gulf Blob” of tropical moisture is boosting rain chances and raising coastal flood risk into the weekend, with gusty winds and locally heavy downpours possible. Water & Data Center Concerns: Environmental advocates are watching a proposed Lawrenceburg, Tennessee data center, warning that water-quality impacts could flow downstream into North Alabama via the Tennessee River. Outdoor Health Prep: As Alabamians head outdoors, pest-control experts are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses by cutting grass, avoiding shaded/brushy areas, and eliminating standing water. Severe Weather Aftermath: Storms across Alabama have left thousands without power and caused downed trees and damage, with officials urging homeowners to act quickly and avoid scams. Alabama Science Spotlight: A University of Alabama doctoral candidate reported rare deep earthquakes in Antarctica, raising questions about whether the ice sheet’s weight is driving unusual seismic activity. Local Community Resilience: Anniston Army Depot celebrated a new $44 million combat vehicle welding facility, while Alabama families and communities continue recovery efforts after tornado damage.

Severe Weather & Power: Central Alabama cleanup continues after Monday storms brought widespread wind damage, with the NWS receiving more than 100 reports and Alabama Power outage maps showing hundreds without power at points. Storm Safety: Local coverage urged homeowners to act fast after damage—tarp roofs and prevent further water intrusion rather than waiting on an adjuster, and watch for scams. Transportation & Environment Planning: A $5 million federal earmark was secured for engineering and environmental studies tied to the Haleyville bypass/Interstate 22 connector, with studies expected to take about a year. Energy Infrastructure: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is expanding its Lowman Energy Center in Leroy with a second advanced-class gas turbine from Mitsubishi Power, aiming for added capacity and emissions compliance. Gulf Coast Ecology: Reports warn a massive seaweed bloom could worsen along Gulf Coast beaches this summer. Local Growth: DeKalb County adopted a countywide economic strategy, Elevate DeKalb, to guide infrastructure, workforce, and industry planning.

Brown Spot Needle Blight: A fungal disease is spreading through Alabama pine forests, with cases reported in 58 of 67 counties and researchers warning it’s moving from longleaf to loblolly pines—Alabama’s key commercial crop. Hurricane Prep: Alabama EMA says tropical storms can still bring damaging rain, flooding, and even tornadoes inland, so North Alabama residents shouldn’t assume they’re safe. Gulf Seaweed: More seaweed is expected to worsen along Gulf Coast beaches this summer, with piles already flooding some shorelines. Water & Air Permits: ADEM held a public hearing on permits for a proposed limestone quarry in Guntersville, where residents raised concerns about dust, traffic, noise, and water impacts. Public Health: Alabama health officials are urging tick protection as Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) becomes a growing concern. Marine Research: A new study led by the University of South Alabama adds insight into greater amberjack numbers in the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf. Storm Cleanup: North Alabama communities are still clearing storm-fallen trees after recent severe weather.

Gulf Coast Seaweed Watch: Large mats of sargassum are washing onto Alabama beaches like Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, and researchers warn conditions could worsen through summer—bad news for swimming, wildlife, and tourism as the seaweed rots on shore. Severe Storm Aftermath: Monday’s strong storms brought damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning, and widespread tree damage across central Alabama, with thousands without power (including major outages in Jefferson County) and reports of trees crashing into homes. Hurricane Season Prep: With the Atlantic season underway, FEMA highlights Gulf and Southeast states—including Alabama—among the highest expected annual loss areas, underscoring the stakes for wind, flooding, and surge readiness. Data Center Debate: A Democratic candidate for Alabama lieutenant governor is calling for a moratorium on new data center construction, citing concerns about environmental impacts and rising energy and water demands. Local Water/Coast Dispute: In Bayou La Batre, residents are fighting over seafood waste storage and odor, alleging violations of state environmental setback and storage rules.

Severe Weather & Power Outages: A fast-moving storm system with damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain knocked out power for more than 100,000 Alabama customers Monday, with Alabama Power reporting over 113,000 outages statewide and thousands more in several metro and West Alabama counties. Storm Preparedness: Alabama Power rolled out SPEAR, a new tool that uses historical storm data to forecast where outages may hit hardest and help crews stage repairs sooner. Road Impacts: Trees fell across U.S. 72 near Cox Road in Limestone County, closing all lanes for crews to clear debris; U.S. 72 closures were also reported near Cox Road as conditions shifted. Local Governance & Development: Vestavia Hills is weighing a 10-year sales tax rebate to help redevelop the former Cahaba Heights Winn-Dixie site into a Walmart Neighborhood Market, including demolition and drainage upgrades. Data Centers Politics: State Rep. Phillip Ensler is calling for a moratorium on new data center construction in Alabama, citing concerns about environmental impacts and energy costs. Community & Environment: Fairhope’s “Hooked on Fairhope” children’s fishing tournament aims to build youth outdoor stewardship while supporting local education and mentoring groups. Weather Outlook: Forecasters say north Alabama dries out after Monday’s severe threat, with a warmer, mostly sunny stretch before spotty rain returns late in the weekend.

Severe Weather Watch: Monday, June 1, Alabama faces an “Impact Day” with storms that could bring damaging winds (gusts up to ~60 mph), heavy rain, and large hail up to quarter-size, with the main risk focused across parts of central and west Alabama; forecasters also note trees may fall because ground is saturated after recent dry-to-wet swings. Heat Safety: A Tuscaloosa-area tragedy highlights the danger of leaving kids in cars—authorities say a 1-year-old was found dead in a vehicle in Brookwood after being left strapped in a car seat during a day when temperatures hit about 90°F. Local Water & Weather: Huntsville-area homeowners are turning to ChatGPT to sell houses, but experts warn about privacy and legal risks from what people type into free AI tools. Environment Science: A new genetic study finds the “Southern Cavefish” is actually three species across karst regions stretching through Alabama and neighboring states. Community & Infrastructure: A Mobile County living shoreline project received financial support, aiming to protect coastal habitat while reducing erosion. Policy & Funding: Alabama homeowners are scrambling after the Trump EPA cancels grants tied to cutting utility bills, adding pressure to already-stressed household budgets.

Severe Weather Watch: The National Weather Service says Monday, June 1 could bring damaging winds and heavy rain across Alabama, with a marginal (Level 1/5) risk still in place; the main concern is wind that could topple trees after recent wetting, while hail threats have eased to large hail up to quarter-size. Storm Timing: Forecasts point to storms developing Monday afternoon into evening, with lightning and downpours already showing up in parts of the region. Living Shorelines: Mobile’s Peninsula of Mobile secured about $150,000 for a living shoreline “Pocket Beach Pilot Program” to reduce erosion, boost habitat, and strengthen coastal resilience. Transportation Impacts: ALDOT plans an overnight northbound I-65 closure near Lacon in Morgan County for bridge deck repairs, with detours via US-31 and other routes depending on vehicle type. Hot Car Reminder: Tuscaloosa-area officials report a 1-year-old died after being left in a vehicle in Brookwood on May 20, underscoring how fast temperatures can turn deadly. Maternal Health: Preeclampsia awareness highlights that postpartum preeclampsia can show up days or weeks after birth, with warning signs like severe headaches, swelling, chest pain, and vision changes.