Hurricane Isaias moved through Alabama overnight Friday, bringing strong winds, downed trees and widespread power outages across the Black Belt, but emergency management officials have reported no deaths or major damage in the region as of Saturday morning.
While the region appears to have avoided the worst of the storm, emergency management agencies are continuing to assess damage and asking residents to report storm-related problems.
In Dallas County, the Emergency Management Agency reported that a wind advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday, with southeast winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 45 mph.
Officials warned that gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects, bring down trees and cause additional power outages.
Emergency management agencies in Wilcox and Perry counties are also asking residents to report any damage from the storm as assessments continue.
Initial reports from the region include downed trees and power outages. One report from Dallas County EMA Director Toya Crusoe involved a tree branch falling onto a mobile home on Mathew Lane, although there did not appear to be damage to the roof.
The City of Marion has reported downed trees and power lines at Clement Street and East Lafayette Street and ask motorists and pedestrians to avoid these locations until conditions are deemed safe. The traffic light at Pickens Street and Highway 14 in front of City Hall is out of service also.
Power outages have been one of the most significant impacts of the hurricane across the Black Belt.
As of noon Saturday, Alabama Power reported 9,078 outages in the Black Belt, down nearly 5,000 from the number reported at 6 a.m.
The utility has mobilized its Storm Team, including 6,400 additional personnel, to assess damage and restore electricity.
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph before moving through Alabama.
Although the Black Belt has not reported widespread structural damage or fatalities, officials caution that conditions could remain hazardous Saturday as winds continue and crews work to clear debris and restore electricity.
Residents are encouraged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid downed power lines and report damage to their county emergency management agencies.
For the latest county-by-county power outage numbers and information on restoration efforts, see BBNN's story on power outages following Hurricane Isaias.
Black Belt News Network will continue monitoring reports from county emergency management agencies and provide updates as additional damage assessments become available.
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