City officials and departments have worked throughout the weekend and are happy to say that cleanup is moving along at a brisk pace and power is being restored. There are many reports of neighbors helping each other. We know from experience that we are all in this together and that we will get through this.
FEMA – Baldwin County has been approved by FEMA for Individual and Public assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Sally. There are three ways to register with FEMA before the assistance process can begin:
1. Call 1-800-621-3362
2. Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov
3. FEMA app on your cell phone
City – Foley City Hall will open on Monday at 8 a.m. The regularly scheduled council meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the civic center. The library, welcome center, Holmes Medical Museum, Railroad Museum and Model Trains, senior center and Interpretive Center at Graham Creek will be closed on Monday. Reopening will be announced.
Power – Baldwin EMC reports they have restored power to 46% of their system. Thousands are still without power due to Hurricane Sally. All 22 of their substations are now energized. Riviera Utilities reports that 19,600 customers have had service restored within the past 48 hours. Both companies are fighting a historic level of downed trees. Each has linemen plus out-of-town partners helping to restore service as soon as possible. Water from Riviera Utilities for consumption needs to be boiled through Sept. 25. Thank you to all utility workers who are putting in long hours to restore service.
Streets – City officials report that 95% of Foley’s streets have been cleared. Streets and alleys that have debris entangled with power lines remain to be cleared. Thank you to the city street and sanitation departments for putting in long hours to get to this point so quickly.
Food – Hours for local grocery stores today and probably the next few days are: Publix 7 am – 6 pm; Winn Dixie 7 am – 6 pm; Piggly Wiggly is open from 8 am – 6 pm. Walmart received extensive damage and is not open at this time.
Restaurants – A list of restaurants that we are aware are open at this time can be found here.
Ice/Water – The POD on Ralph Schumacher Lane near the Foley soccer complex, 1.5 miles west of downtown, will be open on Monday from 9 am until 4 pm. They are distributing ice and water. Hopefully the site will receive more tarps and MREs, but are out at this time. About 1,140 cars came through this site for assistance. Today, 254 pallets of water, 19 pallets of ice, and hundreds of food boxes and MRE’s were distributed.
Garbage pickup – Pickup began Saturday and continued today. On Saturday, 75 tons of garbage were collected. Today, the trucks are still out and will be until dark. On an average day, 40 tons is collected. The garbage trucks cannot enter streets that are blocked by storm debris. Please try to place cans away from debris piles so the truck can make a pickup.
On Monday, garbage routes will change to increase efficiency for city-wide pickup. The routes are city quadrants divided by Hwy 59 and Hwy 98. Monday – Southeast quadrant; Tuesday – Northeast quadrant; Wednesday – Northwest quadrant; Thursday – Southwest quadrant. Recycle service is suspended for now as the company that processes this was heavily damaged.
Debris – Contractors will start debris pickup on Monday. It is estimated to take weeks to do citywide pickup. And, if yours is not out tomorrow, it is ok. They will be back later for a second pass. Please see the graphic for separating different types of debris, and the full explanation in Update #4 for how this process will work.
Contractors – Beware of out-of-town contractors. All contractors must have a city license. Please call to confirm licensing or ask questions. That city office has been open throughout the weekend, until 5 pm today, then 8 – 5 normal hours beginning Monday. 251-970-5015 or 970-5014. Or email jlsmith@cityoffoley.org.