Mobile County EMA director urges residents to prepare despite forecast for below‑average hurricane season

Mike Evans, director of the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency, told the county commission on June 8 that while seasonal forecasts point to a below‑average Atlantic hurricane season, residents and officials must still prepare because "it only takes one storm" to cause severe damage. Evans said the agency is eight days into the official season and urged commissioners to ensure departments and families are ready.

Evans said preparedness is "holistic" and begins at home: he asked commissioners to check that their own households and families have plans and to encourage faith and community organizations to prepare because many will serve as post‑storm support. He also urged commissioners to review departmental staffing and resource plans and to coordinate budget and operational needs that might arise if a storm requires a large response.

The director told the commission his staff has been conducting outreach events and will run a shelter‑opening walk‑through with the school system at a high school in the coming weeks. "We're in the front of a tropical Atlantic H season," Evans said, adding that shelters will be available for residents who cannot relocate with friends or family. He also asked commissioners to allow agency staff to deploy as needed during incidents.

Why it matters: Even in forecast quieter seasons, a single landfalling hurricane can inflict catastrophic losses to life and property. Early planning reduces demand spikes on emergency services and helps prioritize sheltering, evacuations and debris management.

Supporting details: Evans said the county has been coordinating exercises and outreach, and he asked elected officials to emphasize preparedness in their districts. He encouraged residents in surge zones to identify evacuation destinations and noted the agency will seek to partner with municipal and school leaders for shelter operations and exercises.

The commission did not take an operational vote in response to the briefing; Evans' remarks were presented as an informational update. The commission thanked Evans and his staff for their preparedness work.