Alabama Gulf Coast — Mobile Bay Region

Hurricane Preparedness in Alabama

Alabama's Gulf Coast — centered on Mobile, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island — is small in length but highly vulnerable to hurricane impacts. Mobile Bay is a natural funnel for storm surge, and the bay's shallow, wide shape can amplify surge dramatically during a direct hit. Dauphin Island, a barrier island at the bay's mouth, faces extreme surge risk.

Evacuation Checklist → Supply Checklist → Live Storm Center

⚠ Storm Surge Warning

Mobile Bay's geometry makes it especially vulnerable to surge. During Hurricane Sally (2020), surge of 4–6 feet inundated parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties despite Sally being only a Category 2. A direct major hurricane could drive 10–15+ feet of surge into Mobile Bay.

Storm History

Major Hurricanes Affecting Alabama

Alabama has been struck by or affected by several major storms: Hurricane Frederic (1979, Category 3 direct hit near Mobile), Hurricane Ivan (2004, Category 3 at landfall near Gulf Shores), Hurricane Katrina (2005, eastern bands), Hurricane Sally (2020, slow-moving Category 2 with extreme rainfall and surge in Mobile Bay), and Tropical Storm Claudette (2021).

Official Resources

Emergency Management & Evacuation Links

State Emergency Management

Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA)

Alabama EMA →

Find Your Evacuation Zone

Official zone lookup — check before the season, not when a storm is named.

Alabama Hurricane Preparedness →

Additional Resources

Alabama-Specific

Preparedness Tips for Alabama

Dauphin Island residents: evacuate early — access is via a single causeway that floods quickly
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: major tourist areas with limited evacuation roads — leave before crowds
Mobile County residents: know whether you're in the surge zone for Mobile Bay
Baldwin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. — roads fill fast during evacuations
Hurricane Sally (2020) showed that even a Cat 2 with slow movement can be devastating — don't downplay categories
Inland Alabama: tornadoes and flooding are real risks from tropical systems moving north

Current Atlantic Activity

Live NHC Storm Outlook

Atlantic 2-Day Outlook

NHC Atlantic 2-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic 7-Day Outlook

NHC Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Images from NOAA NHC (nhc.noaa.gov). Not affiliated with NHC. Full Storm Center →

Take Action Now

📋 Hurricane Supply Checklist →

Water, food, power, first aid, medications, documents, pets — everything to stock before the storm.

🚗 Evacuation Checklist →

Go-bag contents, when to leave, how to secure your home, zone lookup links.

💡 Power Outage Checklist →

Generator safety (never indoors), food safety, heat safety, communications.

FAQ

Alabama Hurricane FAQ

What are Alabama's hurricane evacuation zones?

Alabama's coastal evacuation zones are managed by Mobile and Baldwin counties. Zone A covers the areas at highest surge risk. Contact your county emergency management office or visit ema.alabama.gov for current zone maps.

Is Gulf Shores safe during a hurricane?

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and the surrounding beach areas are in low-lying coastal zones with significant storm surge risk. During a major hurricane, these areas should be evacuated. The road network is limited and traffic builds quickly — leave at the first evacuation order.

How dangerous is Mobile Bay for storm surge?

Very dangerous. Mobile Bay is wide, shallow, and aligned in a way that funnels surge inland. Hurricane Sally (2020) produced 4–6 feet of surge in Mobile and Baldwin counties as only a Category 2. A direct Category 3 or higher could push 10–15+ feet of surge into the bay area.

Disclaimer: This page provides general preparedness information. Always follow orders from your local emergency management officials. Evacuation zone information changes — verify with your county or state EM office. In an emergency, call 911. Not affiliated with NOAA, NHC, FEMA, or any state agency.