Brewton Curfew Ordered as Isaias Leaves Escambia County Roads Blocked by Trees, Lines

Hurricane Isaias damage in Escambia County left roads blocked by fallen trees and power lines, a mobile home destroyed and much of Brewton without electricity. A Brewton curfew took effect at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, as emergency crews worked to clear the debris.

Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said the east side of the county took a serious amount of wind damage as Isaias moved inland after making landfall Friday night, Oct. 9, near Destin, Fla. Power lines, telephone poles and trees came down across roadways, cutting off travel in places and slowing the emergency response. Emergency officials reported no injuries during the early part of the storm.

Deputies blocked by fallen trees

Jackson described how severe conditions became during the storm. Two deputies were sent to a report of a vehicle that had run off the road and struck a water main, but downed trees blocking the road kept them from reaching the call. The deputies then needed help getting back to the sheriff’s office, Jackson said.

The sheriff also said one mobile home in the county was destroyed by wind. Emergency officials were unable to reach the home at first because Isaias’ winds were still too strong for crews to travel safely.

Manufactured and mobile homes are especially vulnerable in hurricanes, which is why the National Weather Service and emergency managers routinely advise people living in them to leave for a sturdier shelter before a storm arrives, even when they are well inland.

Brewton orders mandatory curfew

In Brewton, the county seat, the Brewton Police Department ordered a mandatory curfew beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday in response to what it called a “widespread power outage and extremely dangerous conditions.”

“As of this morning, most roadways and sidewalks are blocked by downed trees and power lines,” the department said. “After dark these roadway obstructions will be barely visible making conditions even more hazardous.”

Police, fire and emergency medical crews were working to clear roads and remove safety hazards while trying to keep residents safe, and the department said the curfew would help them do that. Residents were urged to stay home while crews work to clear the hazards.

The curfew remained in effect into Sunday, Oct. 11, according to the police department. Residents should watch for announcements from the City of Brewton and the Brewton Police Department about when the order will be lifted.

Why the curfew matters

With streetlights and traffic signals out and trees and wires lying across streets and sidewalks, nighttime travel in a storm-damaged town is especially risky. A driver may not see a fallen limb or a sagging line until it is too late, and a downed wire can remain energized even when it appears dead. Keeping people off the roads after dark also leaves the way clear for emergency vehicles and work crews.

Curfews like Brewton’s are common in the hours after a hurricane, when public safety agencies need room to work and the risk of injuries from hidden hazards is highest.

Power slowly returning

Escambia County officials said communications and power were gradually coming back throughout the county. Still, the area was among the hardest hit in the state. Alabama Power spokesperson Beth Thomas said Saturday that in the hardest-hit areas, including Escambia and Monroe counties, restoration could take several days.

Alabama Power said more than 6,400 additional support personnel had joined its response, with crews working around the clock. Statewide, outages had topped 300,000 customers at the height of the storm, and about 172,646 customers remained without power as of 3 p.m. Saturday, according to outage-tracking data. Neighboring Conecuh County was almost entirely dark, with 99.5% of tracked customers out of service.

Utilities urged residents to treat every downed line as live and dangerous, to stay away from fallen trees and debris that could be hiding wires, and to report outages directly to their provider.

Jackson lifts its curfew

Elsewhere in southwest Alabama, conditions improved enough for one city to ease restrictions. In Jackson, in Clarke County, the curfew that had been in place was canceled Saturday for the rest of the weekend, according to the Jackson Police Department.

Safety tips for Escambia County residents

As cleanup continues and power remains out for many households, officials and utilities offered these reminders, in line with standard guidance from FEMA, the CDC and the Alabama Department of Public Health:

• Follow the curfew. Stay home after 7 p.m. while the Brewton curfew remains in effect, and avoid unnecessary travel during the day.
• Stay away from downed lines. Assume every downed wire is energized, keep children and pets away, and report lines to your utility or 911.
• Do not drive around barricades or through debris. Roads blocked by trees may also hide damaged lines or washed-out pavement.
• Use generators safely. Run them outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect a generator directly to home wiring without a properly installed transfer switch.
• Protect your food. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours.
• Check on neighbors. Older residents and people who rely on electrical medical equipment may need extra help while the power is out.
• Document damage. Photograph damage to homes, vehicles and property before cleanup for insurance purposes.

Looking ahead

Recovery in Escambia County is likely to take time, given the number of trees and power lines down on the east side of the county and the utility’s warning that restoration in the hardest-hit areas could take several days. Residents should follow updates from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Brewton Police Department, Escambia County emergency officials and their electric provider as roads are cleared and power returns.