Gulf Shores has asked all non-residents to leave before the storm, a particularly important concern because the city was hosting the annual National Shrimp Festival, which was canceled because of the storm. Grant Brown, public information officer for the city of Gulf Shores, tells CNN that the city normally has about 18,000 residents, but the festival has raised the population to more than 50,000. Officials are concerned that if residents need to evacuate at the same time visitors try to leave, traffic could quickly overwhelm bridges and the transportation system. The city is monitoring the WC Holmes Memorial Bridge along State Highway 59 and says it will remain open unless conditions become too dangerous. Brown says the bridge will close in both directions if sustained winds reach 45 miles per hour. Crews will begin removing lifeguard stations from the beach on Thursday, using heavy equipment to get them out of harm’s way. The city hopes to fly double red flags and increase beach patrols to keep people out of the water as conditions deteriorate. Public facilities will begin closing at noon Thursday. Brown says his biggest concern is rising water, as the ground is already saturated from heavy rain. Officials expect between five and seven feet of storm surge around high tide. And the surf could become especially dangerous. Brown says waves could reach 20 feet on Friday, creating what he described as an aggressive beach environment that could destroy sand dunes and damage infrastructure.
