ORANGE BEACH, AL – Both island cities are making preparations for rain from an area of storms off the west coast of Florida that is supposed to make its way ashore this week.

Forecasters are predicting a rain event for Alabama’s coast to last from Aug. 10 through Aug. 13, and possibly beyond.

“The last webinar we had indicated that there is a potential of this system dropping more than 12 inches of rain starting sometime late Wednesday afternoon through Saturday,” Gulf Shores EMA Director Brandan Franklin said.

Officials in both cities are hoping, and believe, this system won’t be similar to the catastrophic rain event that wreaked havoc on the island April 30-May 1 in 2014.

“Unlike that April event of a couple of years ago, this is going to be spread out over several days,” Orange Beach EMA Director Lannie Smith said. “It’s not just going to be a one- or two-day event where we just get pounded for two straight days.

“I think we’ll see some lighter rainfall amounts for daily totals but the cumulative amounts will be pretty significant.”

Smith said forecasters have told him there is a potential for the storm to produce even more than the predicted 12-14 inches predicted now.

“Talking with the weather service over in Mobile that number could even be higher because they are expecting it to kind of creep along the coast,” Smith said. “They think it’s going to pick up a lot of moisture on the back end out of the Gulf.

“We could experience some heavy rainfall after the system has passed on the back-end circulation. I don’t think it would be out of the realm of possibility for us to see close to 20 inches if this think just creeps by.”

In Gulf Shores, Public Works Director Mark Acreman said his crews have been doing preliminary work in anticipation of the coming deluge.

“We’re running extra routes for debris to make sure there is no debris in the ditches that people put out, checking the culverts and double checking them,” Acreman said. “This is to get ready for the actual events we could be seeing throughout the week and through the weekend.”

Improved drainage in the East Gulf Shores neighborhood framed by Canal Road on the north and East Second Street on the west has helped eliminate much of the flood problems it received in the past.

Acreman said pumps donated by Gulf Shores Utilities when it bought new ones are being readied in case they are needed in that neighborhood.

Smith said Orange Beach is going through pretty much the same process with preparations.

“The Public Works, they’ve got a check list of culverts that they check before an event like this,” he said. “Bear Point drainage is all on a pump system and they go by and make sure the pumps are set correctly.

“We’re getting some pumps in case we need ‘em, sandbags and things like that. Doing the best we can to get ready.”

Franklin said if citizens in Gulf Shores see problems or potential problems with culverts being blocked or ditches overflowing they can call 251-968-1156 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or 251-968-2431 after hours to report problems.

He said the city is preparing a release and working with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism to keep visitors informed about conditions.

“We’re getting prepared to work with the Gulf Coast Visitors’ and Convention Bureau to inform our guests if there will be delays because of water on the roadways,” Franklin said. “Especially with everyone checking out on Saturdays.”