Submitted by Sally McKinney

Perdido Key, AL. — Members of the Optimist Club of Perdido Bay heard Lillian Emergency Management Coordinator Jerry Langford explain the procedures in the event a hurricane visits the Lillian area.

He said supplies will be transported to Robertsdale by FEMA, but only after wind speed is less than 45 mph in Montgomery where the distribution area is located. From Robertsdale supplies will be trucked to the Lillian/Perdido Beach Point of Distribution (POD) located at the Lillian Community Club.

There area residents will be able to pick up needed supplies. However, Langford warns that it could be three days before supplies make it to Lillian, so precautions should be taken before the storm by procuring enough food, water and medications.

When the FEMA supplies arrive, they will be distributed according to the plan provided the Baldwin County EMA. Widell Avenue will be designated a one-way street, east to west, during the time the POD is in operation. Vehicles will stop at one of three areas to be loaded with two or three bags of ice, one case of nine or twelve liter bottles of water, six Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and one tarp.

Once electricity is restored to the area, the POD will close. Langford said they expect to be able to service 140 cars per hour, about 1,680 vehicles between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Since the fire departments may be engaged in their regular services of firefighting, medical needs and rescue, volunteers will be needed to man the POD.

Check the Baldwin County website for information about shelters and other pertinent facts at www.co.baldwin,al.us.