CLANTON – At the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Governor Bob Riley declared an official state of emergency in Alabama today due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Fay. The emergency declaration enables the Governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures.  The Alabama National Guard has worked with AEMA to deploy four, five-ton trucks and drivers to Baldwin, Geneva, Houston and Mobile Counties. These trucks will be in place in the event a rescue mission is necessary.

“Based upon on the track of TS Fay some of the Southern counties are likely to receive a significant amount of rain and possible damage, and that’s why it’s important to have this declaration in place” Governor Riley said.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is directed to make the appropriate assessments of damages and seek the necessary state and federal assistance for the affected areas.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, the State Emergency Operating Center is operating at level three. The SEOC is closely monitoring estimated rain projections and flood zones.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are in Alabama working with AEMA to provide a liaison between the two agencies.

“We want Alabama residents to know TS Fay has the potential to produce severe weather and therefore we want to stress the need for individual preparedness, said Brock Long. “It’s our mission the assist residents of Alabama, but it’s essential for everyone to have an emergency preparedness kit, know their evacuation route and listen to the direction of local officials.”