Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier urged residents and visitors to evacuate the west end of the island Monday as Tropical Storm Sally closed in on the Gulf Coast and saltwater flooding began to push onto roads.
In a Facebook post, Collier cited rising water, high winds, heavy surf and an imminent cut to water service, writing that people should move to higher ground as soon as possible. He warned that conditions were deteriorating to the point where first responders would no longer be able to reach parts of the west end to provide emergency assistance.
Collier toured the west end Monday morning before the storm arrived and reported that saltwater flooding had already started in spots. He asked anyone with vehicles still parked on the west end to move them immediately.
Soon after, he shared a photo showing two cars already submerged in sand and water at Tonty Court, noting that a third vehicle was out of frame. The images underscored how quickly low-lying sections of the barrier island become impassable as surge-driven flooding moves in ahead of a landfalling storm.