Dear San Carlos Owners & Guests,
In a Special City Council Meeting this morning, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and members of the City Council declared a State of Emergency for the City of Gulf Shores due to Hurricane Sally. The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Surge Warning and Flash Flood Watch for the Coastal Baldwin County area, which includes the City Gulf Shores and the Fort Morgan Peninsula. A Dangerous and potentially historic rainfall and flooding event is becoming likely for our area. Significant rainfall totals in the amounts of 8 to 16 inches with localized amounts of 25 inches are possible, and wind gusts (40-50 mph) are anticipated throughout the storm’s duration. In addition, surf height of up to 15 feet and a storm surge inundation of 4 to 6 feet is expected and subject to increase if there is a further eastward shift in Hurricane Sally’s track. The combination of severe weather and the projected high tide creates an extremely dangerous situation. All Owners and Guests should continue to stay weather alert by watching/listening to local weather reports.
Due to the increasingly dangerous conditions anticipated from Hurricane Sally, Governor Kay Ivey has issued a supplemental State of Emergency forcing all City of Gulf Shores beaches and all public beach accesses to close at 3 p.m. today (you can view the governor’s order here: https://governor.alabama.gov/). All City of Gulf Shores offices and facilities will be closed to the public today at 5 p.m. and remain closed until further notice. Police, Fire Rescue, Public Works and other essential services will remain open to ensure public safety and health.
As of 4 p.m. today, the City of Gulf Shores will discontinue issuing all Hurricane/Re-Entry Passes, per City of Gulf Shores Resolution 5642-16. Due to the anticipated flooding conditions, the Gulf Shores Sportsplex and Jack Edwards National Airport are available for additional parking at a higher elevation throughout the duration of the storm.
Summary of conditions:
* Sally has strengthened into a Category 2 Hurricane (100+ mph winds) as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast.
* Sally’s slow movement will result in prolonged impacts on the Gulf Coast.
* Life-threatening storm surge is expected (4-6 feet).
* Flooding rain is a major threat from Hurricane Sally on the Gulf Coast and farther inland across the Southeast this week (8-16 inches with localized amounts possible of 25 inches).
* Damaging winds are expected as Hurricane Sally intensifies and moves closer to the coast.
Storm preparations should begin immediately. Please take the following precautions and continue to monitor this situation very closely:
1. Travel – If you have decided to say at San Carlos through the duration of this system, you should anticipate our surrounding roadways to become impassable due to standing water (likely to take place Tuesday afternoon);
2. Evacuation – Depending on the path of Hurricane Sally, Governor Ivy may issue a mandatory guest evacuation at some point Tuesday morning. All orders concerning evacuation will be posted online and conveyed via the San Carlos intercom system.
3. Parking – please know that the 2nd floor parking garage is for Owners only. Guests should park in the northern portion of the overflow lot to assure protection from storm surge.
4. Power – please know that the San Carlos generator will supply power to exterior lighting and for the elevators only (i.e. no power toward each unit or unit water pumps). You should fill up at least one bathtub to assure a water supply for your unit in case we are without power for a prolonged period of time.
5. Balcony Furniture – please bring all balcony furniture inside or contact your management company to do so.
6. Beach Access – the San Carlos beach access ramp gate is presently locked in accordance with Governor Ivy’s order to close the beach (we will reopen as soon as the order is lifted).
We will continue to monitor this storm and update everyone as more information becomes available. Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns (251.747.4111).
Sincerely,
-Dan
