By Staff
Forecasts so far show Hurricane Dean's path will have little impact on the Alabama coast and Florida panhandle, but Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams was continuing to watch the weather Friday.
Adams said Dean is expected to continue on its current track to the west, with a slight shift to the west-northwest possible over the next few days. The path would take the storm - which was a Category 3 as of Friday - just south of Cuba and into the Yucatan peninsula by early Tuesday. Dean could build strength to become a Category 3 or 4 storm, Adams said, but if it shifts to the right and does not hit land it could build to a strong Category 4 or Category 5 storm.
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative officials said they are watching the storm as well.
Harrison said the cooperative's offices are also equipped with backup generators and a limited store of disaster supplies.