Sally left her mark across area

Flood waters from Hurricane Sally across the area fell short of pre-storm estimates but the storm brought a large enough punch causing massive flooding, downing trees and cutting off power, telephone and internet for many residents.

Prior to the storm, estimates were that Murder Creek between Brewton and East Brewton would crest at 33 feet. Post storm numbers showed the creek crested at about 28 feet.

However, it was enough to force the creek out of its banks, causing massive damage along Highway 41 and sending between 2 and 3 feet of water into Piggly Wiggly in East Brewton.

Cyndi Lundy, store manager at Piggly Wiggly, said this week that the store is temporarily closed but should be reopened in less than two weeks.

"We had a little more than 2 feet of water in the store," Lundy said.

She also said the flood waters caused damage to electrical outlets. Lundy added that all items touched by the flood waters has to be thrown away and cleaning efforts are underway before the store can be restocked. But we'll be back."

Escambia County (Ala.) Emergency Management Agency Director David Adams said the storm made a late right turn and made landfall near Gulf Shores as a Category 2. The storm continued its eastern path with the eye eventually passing to the east of Brewton.

Adams said originally, the storm was expected to land in Louisiana and later updates had it making landfall near the Alabama-Mississippi line.

"Once it slowed down it kept moving east," Adams said.

Although there was damage and flooding throughout the area, Adams said it was less than he expected.

"We've got scattered trees down and roads that were washed out," he said.

As of Tuesday the Jay Road was closed and Damascus Road was also shut down as crews work to repair the damage.

Adams said he did hear some complaints that trucks carrying water and MREs were not brought into the area after the storm, but added the area did not meet the criteria.

"It's based on overall damage and the amount of power outages," Adams said. "All public water systems were operational and stores were going to be open about the time supplies would have made it here."

Flomaton Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye said about 15 or so trees fell and blocked roads and highways during the storm.

Town workers, fireman and other volunteers gathered Wednesday afternoon at the fire station to begin removing those trees from the road.

"We had to wait until it was safe to send people out," Moye said. "We were waiting until the winds got below 39 mph."

He said workers divided up into six crews and had all the roads in the area cleared in less than two hours.

Moye did say the storm damaged some lights at Hurricane Park and also damaged the fishing pier.

Moye and Adams said one thing that really helped was the flood waters began to drop very soon after the storm passed.

Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said things ran fine but the work couldn't have been done as good or fast without all the help.

"We had about 15 firemen, the town workers and EMS," Stanton said. "We couldn't have done it without all that help."

Stanton said Moye had developed a list of areas that needed trees removed.

"When we got to the fire house he said 'which ones do you want'," Stanton said. "I said 'tear it in half, you take half and I'll take half'."

Stanton noted that EMT Donnie Brown was on duty with the ambulance at the time, but Tommy Simmons drove the ambulance and Brown to the sites and Brown used his chainsaw to cut trees.

"They followed us around," Stanton said. "If they got a call, Donnie and Tommy were right there and could respond."

Stanton also said James Campbell donated two loads of sand to the town, which was piled in front of the fire station for people to make sandbags to prevent buildings from flooding. Stanton estimated more than 300 sandbags were filled before the storm.

Debris

Moye added that the town of Flomaton will operate its trash truck on a daily basis until the end of the month to pick up storm debris.

He noted that the town cannot go onto private property so the debris needs to be placed on the right-of-way next to the road. He also said limbs and construction debris needed to be placed in separate piles for pickup.