As hurricane season approaches, Mobile’s city leaders aren’t waiting around. On Wednesday, department heads met to run through worst-case scenarios—together.
In past years, each department had its own playbook. Fire had one plan. Public works had another.
But according to Public Safety Director Rob Lasky, that patchwork approach left room for confusion.
“One of the first things I noticed,” Lasky said, “was that we didn’t have a unified plan. So we created one to make sure everyone is working together.”
Practice Before the Storm
This meeting wasn’t just talk. Departments walked through a full simulation. The setup: a major hurricane barreling toward Mobile.
What would fire and rescue do first? Where would public works go? How would communication flow?
The exercise gave each team a chance to move through their roles and work out any snags before real pressure hits.
Lasky emphasized that the goal was to stress-test the system so the real thing doesn’t catch anyone off guard.
“If that day comes, we’re prepared and we’re ready for it,” he said.
All Hands on Deck
The plan starts with Public Safety, but it involves every city department—from the ones fixing potholes to the ones running shelters.
They’re not working in silos anymore. A single, connected chain of command gives the whole city a clearer picture and faster coordination.
That means fewer delays, less confusion, and smoother action during emergencies.
It’s the kind of shift that could make a big difference when the skies get dark and the wind picks up.
Reliable Info Is Key
Mike Evans, director of the county’s emergency management agency, was also at the table. His message: get your updates from the right places.
“Everyone needs to make sure they’re getting information from a reliable source,” Evans said. “That includes the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and local meteorologists. The apps you use matter.”
He highlighted trusted forecasters like Jason Beaman and reminded everyone to download tools that send real-time alerts.
Knowing what’s coming—and when—can shape your response more than anything else.
Prepared Means Strong
Folks from the National Weather Service also joined the meeting, lending their insight to help sharpen the city’s approach.
With input from local, state, and national experts, the strategy is built to hold up under pressure.
The whole effort boiled down to one goal: stay ready before there’s even a storm in the Gulf.
No one can stop a hurricane from forming, but being unified, practiced, and informed can change what happens after landfall.
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