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Montgomery hotel vacancies for Isaac evacuees

Montgomery hotel vacancies for Isaac evacuees

MONTGOMERY, AL - The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau is coordinating hotel availability information for any evacuees of Hurricane Isaac from the gulf coast area. Listed below are hotels that currently have availability through Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Those that are full are listed at the bottom. This list is current as of 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2012 and will be updated Tuesday afternoon. 

For more details on booking a room in Montgomery, please contact the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-800-240-9452 or 334-261-1100. You can also visit us online at www.visitingmontgomery.com.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL, UPDATED LIST.

Alabama Dept. of Public Health: Be aware of generator and chain saw dangers following power outages

Alabama Dept. of Public Health: Be aware of generator and chain saw dangers following power outages

The risk for injuries associated with generators and chain saws increases after natural disasters such as hurricanes. If misused, both of these products can lead to injuries and even deaths, the Alabama Department of Public Health cautions.

Power outages that follow storms prompt people to use generators which produce carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms and ultimately lead to coma and death. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas that is produced by all fossil fuel burning appliances and automobiles. Exposure to carbon monoxide is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent.

Follow these recommendations for the safe use of generators:

  • Have a carbon monoxide monitor with fresh batteries in it and place it in the residence high on the wall.

Montgomery hotel vacancies for Isaac evacuees

Montgomery hotel vacancies for Isaac evacuees

MONTGOMERY, AL - The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau is coordinating hotel availability information for any evacuees of Tropical Storm Isaac from the gulf coast area. Listed below are hotels that currently have availability through Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Those that are full are listed at the bottom.

Governor Bentley encourages Alabamians to prepare for Isaac

Governor Bentley encourages Alabamians to prepare for Isaac

Governor Robert Bentley on Friday encouraged all Alabamians to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane making landfall along the Gulf Coast next week.

Latest forecast models show Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.  The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall somewhere along the central Gulf Coast late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

“Now is the time for you and your family to make sure you have the proper supplies and plans in place,” Governor Bentley said.  “Inland areas of the state could also be affected.  We are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Isaac, and we encourage everyone to monitor changing weather conditions over the next several days.”

Just Thursday, Governor Bentley announced the launch of the renewed Ready Alabama initiative to help people prepare ahead of natural disasters.  The Ready Alabama website,

The Red Cross is ready to help as Isaac heads toward Florida

The Red Cross is ready to help as Isaac heads toward Florida

Tropical Storm Isaac could make landfall in Florida in the next few days and the American Red Cross is getting ready to respond if needed.

The Red Cross is preparing to open dozens of shelters across Florida, and moving hundreds of trained disaster workers into the state. There are 22 Red Cross emergency response vehicles already in Florida and 28 more are moving into the state in advance of the storm with an additional 78 on stand-by if needed. The Red Cross is mobilizing five truckloads of disaster supplies to send to Florida and Red Cross disaster warehouses in Georgia and Mississippi are ready to ship emergency supplies if necessary.

“As Isaac travels northward, we’re getting ready to help people in Florida,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president for Red Cross Disaster Services.

Drought Emergency Declared in 33 Alabama Counties

Drought Emergency Declared in 33 Alabama Counties

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley and Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan announced Friday that farmers in nearly half of Alabama’s counties will be eligible for low-interest federal loans as a result of a drought emergency declaration by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack.

“While much of the state has received rain this week, it is not enough to eliminate the severe and extreme drought conditions that many places are experiencing,” Governor Bentley said.  “Farmers across Alabama are suffering through what has been an extended drought from last year.  We appreciate Secretary Vilsack's response to this critical situation that affects so many Alabama families.”

In a July 12 letter to Governor Bentley, Secretary Vilsack designated the following 33 counties as “primary natural disaster areas” suffering from severe or extreme drought:

 

USDA offers food safety tips in advance of this season's hurricanes

USDA offers food safety tips in advance of this season's hurricanes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is urging residents of coastal states to plan ahead this hurricane season and minimize the potential for foodborne illness in the event of power outages, flooding, and other problems that could be associated with weather emergencies.

“As you prepare your home for hurricane season, remember to protect food from being exposed to contaminated water or unsafe storage temperatures in a power outage,” USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said. “When it comes to emergencies of any kind, planning ahead is always the best strategy to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.”

FSIS encourages those living in coastal areas to be prepared, particularly when it comes to ensuring access to safe food and water after weather emergencies. Families should have an emergency plan in place that includes food and water safety precautions.