Alabama Hurricane Recovery: Where to Find Help

TL;DR: Alabama residents can call 211 for local food, water and shelter referrals. Confirmed resources include meals at a Foley shelter and a scheduled Tuesday food distribution in Spanish Fort. Report power outages directly to your electric provider.

Alabama residents dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias can turn to local shelters, food banks and emergency services for help. But, storm damage and road closures may limit access, and residents should confirm that a site is operating before leaving home.

The best starting point is 211 Connects Alabama. Call 211 or 888-421-1266, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. The free service connects residents across all 67 counties with food, shelter, emergency supplies and other local aid. Ask for the nearest operating food or bottled-water pickup site.

In South Alabama, Feeding the Gulf Coast offers an online locator for food pantries and meal sites. Residents can also call 251-653-1617 for help finding food assistance. Confirm hours before traveling, since storm closures may affect regular service.

Baldwin County lists St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 506 N. Pine St. in Foley, as an open shelter with meals provided. Those seeking shelter should bring bedding, medications and essential items. Call 251-256-8202 for current information. The county’s notice confirms meals for shelter guests; it does not announce take-home food or bottled-water pickup.

Prodisee Pantry has a food distribution scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 9–11:30 a.m., at 9315 Spanish Fort Blvd. in Spanish Fort. Its Saturday, Oct. 10, distribution in Stockton was canceled because of the storm, FOX10 reported. Call 251-626-1720 before making the trip Tuesday.

As of early Saturday, Oct. 10, a public bottled-water pickup site in Alabama had not been verified for this resource list. Residents should check with 211 or their county emergency management agency for newly announced sites.

Baldwin County’s shelter at 19477 Fairground Road in Robertsdale is listed as open, with a pet-friendly shelter at the same location. Bring bedding, medications, personal supplies and identification. Call the county EMA information center at 251-972-6807 to confirm access.

Mobile County announced three shelters opening Friday, Oct. 9:

• Theodore High School: 6201 Swedetown Road North, Theodore.
• Baker High School: 8901 Airport Blvd., Mobile.
• Cranford Burns Middle School: 6175 Girby Road, Mobile. This location was designated for medical needs, with county health personnel on site.

Residents should confirm continued operations before traveling. Mobile County asks shelter guests to bring medications, bedding, and food and water for up to 72 hours. Those needing transportation should call 211.

The American Red Cross of Alabama and Mississippi can also help residents find shelter and disaster services. Call 800-733-2767.

Power outages should be reported directly to the utility listed on the household’s electric bill:

• Alabama Power: 800-888-2726. Its website provides outage reporting and outage information.
• Baldwin EMC: 251-989-6247 or 800-837-3374. Both numbers accept outage reports around the clock.
• Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Alabama: 866-867-5415.
• Wiregrass Electric Cooperative: 888-469-6882.
• Central Alabama Electric Cooperative: 800-619-5460.

Call 911 for immediate danger. Routine power outage reports should go to the utility, rather than emergency dispatch.

Families receiving SNAP benefits who lost food because of the storm should contact their county Department of Human Resources office promptly. Alabama’s published policy generally requires disaster-related food losses to be reported within 10 days. Residents should ask about replacement benefits rather than assume they will arrive automatically.

For federal aid, residents can check DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Eligibility depends on the disaster designation and other requirements. This resource list does not confirm that Isaias household assistance applications are open for any Alabama county.

Baldwin County residents with unmet recovery needs can contact local volunteer recovery partners at baldwincountyvoad@gmail.com. The County is urging people to stay off the roads except for emergencies because of downed lines, fallen trees and damaged traffic signals. Check its official storm updates before traveling.

Elsewhere, Alabama EMA’s county contact directory provides local emergency management numbers. ALGO Traffic tracks highway conditions and closures, while Alabama Public Health offers guidance on food safety, flooding hazards and storm cleanup.