Beach businesses board up for Isaac

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Handymen and business owners alike were out in full force across Gulf Shores and Orange beach Monday evening, making final preparations for Tropical Storm Isaac.

"Last two days, I've been pretty busy putting up hurricane shutters for different people," said handyman Doreace Hanson, whose been boarding up businesses and homes throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Businesses along Highway 59 are boarded up, as sandbags and tarp are laid out across the front doors

The storm is not expected to hit the area directly, but FOX10 Meteorologist Jason smith said south Alabama can expect heavy rains and flood waters.

Business owners said they are not taking any chances and are learning from the past.

"It’s a heck of a lot easier to pull this stuff down then it is to come back and witness the devastation as we did in Ivan,"said Kevin Corcoran, owner of REMAX of Gulf Shores. "That was horrible. We first got here by boat eight years ago, and that was devastating so we remember that still."