DOTHAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Heavy rainfall was not predicted for this storm, but it proved to be a critical element. However, we “hope for the best, and plan for the worst” so the City of Dothan was still fully prepared to respond to all phases of this storm.
• The DFD responded to approximately 35 calls during a two hour period. The 35 calls is equal to the normal run volume for a full day!
• An early morning rough estimate of 12 minor injuries (all vehicle related) and 6 rescues to assist individuals trapped in vehicles as a result of the storm
• At this time, we know of actual flooding in homes at Stone Creek Landing and Agutha Drive
• An early morning rough estimate of approximately 100 homes impacted by fallen trees and debris, with 20-25 of those homes being impacted by very large trees
• Chief Larry Williams would like to remind everyone than an official assessment of storm damage will be completed by the Houston County EMA office
DOTHAN UTILITIES
• At the height of the storm, there were roughly 3,000 DU customers without power. By the 10:00am media briefing, that number was down to 1,000.
• DU crews immediately responded to the storm last night and began working before 11:00pm to restore power and remove fallen trees. Additional crews, fuel, and equipment were prepared and ready to go as soon as needed.
• DU plans to have the majority of power restored by 12:00am (midnight).
• 25 poles are down. Some of those poles are jointly shared with other electric utilities companies so a lot of coordination is being required to replace these poles.
• Major areas of concentration right now are along Westgate from Hwy 231 to 431 where major power lines are down, and along Redmond Road and Flynn Road where heavy construction is needed in the restoration process. Small crews are working around the clock to address other areas.
• 4 public schools without power as of the 10:00am briefing: Northview, Beverlye Magnet School, Kelly Springs Elementary, and Morris Slingluff Elementary
• At 7:00am, these were the current areas being addressed by DU crews:
1) Murphy Mill Road-clearing roadway. Lines and 10 poles down
2) Westgate from 231 to 431-Lines and 12 poles down. This currently includes 431 outside Circle and Denton Road area. Working to restore.
3) Redmond Road and Flynn Road areas-working to restore
4) Cottonwood Road-outside Circle
5) Hodgesville Road-currently working to complete repairs
6) Selma and Duke-broken pole
7) Beverlye Road-School area
8) Stadium Street Area-removing trees
9) Kent and Hazelwood-removing trees
10) Montezuma Area-working to complete repairs
11) Plantation/Selkirk-working to complete repairs
12) Colgate/Dartmouth Area
13) Harrison Road-lines down
• By the time of the 10:00am media briefing, items number 4, 5, 7, and 8 were completed
• DU has increased the number of individuals in the call center by 8
• The storm resulted in two sanitary sewer overflow events (Englewood Avenue & Kornegay Street)
• 4 lift stations are currently out of service
• Due to loss of power, Little Choctawhatchee Wastewater Treatment Plant is operating off a generator. In preparation for the storm, Dothan Utilities stockpiled enough fuel to operate such generators for 4 days.
DOTHAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
• In preparation for the storm, the DPD had 12 additional officers and 4 additional dispatchers working.
• From 11pm – 2am, there were approximately 132 calls for service (debris in the roadway, power lines down, etc)
• There was no significant crime activity
PUBLIC WORKS: Street Division and Environmental Services
• There will be no changes to the regular garbage, trash, or recycling collection days.
• There are many trees and limbs down on private property. As is always the policy, the Public Works department will collect these items once the homeowner moves them to the curbside of their residence.
• Tree cutting crews responded before 11:00pm last night to address fallen trees and limbs
• Battery back-up kept traffic lights at major intersections operational
GENERAL SERVICES
• Facilities impacted by flooding include the Wiregrass Museum of Art and the basement of the Dothan Civic Center. Crews were in place early this morning to address both locations.
LEISURE SERVICES
• In preparation for the storm, all recreational facilities closed at 7:00pm last night and all evening activities scheduled after that time were cancelled
• There was no damage to any of the recreational facilities
• Small trees and limbs are down on the trail
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
• The personnel department was actively involved during the storm by ensuring that utilities’ crews and first responders were receiving the food and drinks needed to efficiently and safely work throughout the night and early morning hours.