By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER Managing editor
While Tropical Storm Arlene wasn't the storm residents were expecting, county officials could call it a pre-trial mock session for possible hurricanes to come.
While some of the questions weren't answered the way Jennings and others were hoping, they were answered accordingly.
Jennings said that they had direct dealings with the State EMA, the Department of Transportation, National Guard and the Department of Public Safety, and he added that they were in constant contact with Jo Bonner's office and representatives.
Forecasters predicted that Arlene was to make landfall around noon on Sunday. Instead, high winds and rain pushed through over the weekend, causing nothing but a damp weekend, akin to a typical summer storm in the south.
Commissioners agreed that this town and county were "real fortunate" that another storm like Ivan didn't ravage the area. Rather, commissioners reported isolated power outages that were restored later in the afternoon, and a good bit of debris that came down but posed no threat to the area.
Chairman Larry White said that the stormed "reminded us that we cannot be complacent - we are subject to this kind of threat from time to time.
Officials from the Federal Emergency Management agency will be in the area in mid-June to work with state officials and community leaders on recovery plans.
The "town hall" style workshop will also be open to the public. The two-day meeting will allow agencies such as the DOT to provide input and identify high-priority projects while crafting a strategic recovery plan.
WHEN: June 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton