Responders Prepare For State of Emergency
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WEST JACKSON — Emergency crews are preparing for the worst and asking residents to do the same. “The potential definitely exists for long term outages, until the storm unfolds it’s unclear but people should be prepared hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” Robert Mullins, Manager of Operations at JEA said. Departments say now they have a plan to communicate and work together once the freezing rain begins to fall. With the state of emergency, crews can increase the amount of emergency responders working during the ice storm. “When you do it after the face it’s a lot harder so by going ahead and preparing and doing a state of emergency we can react quicker save lives, save property, and actually save money,” Marty Clements, the Jackson-Madison County EMA Director said Two of county leaders biggest concerns are dangerous roadways and downed power lines. Crews could not salt the roads in Madison County due to the rain and wind. “We’re really hoping that the citizens will not get out in this because you are putting the responders at risk,” warned Clements. About a half an inch of ice will cause power outages. The extent of the damage will be seen once the storm rolls through. Officers say residents should be prepared for several downed power lines and trees. “If you see a down power line don’t get near it. If you happen to get into a car accident don’t get out if there power lines down,”urged Mullins.
