Gov. Bentley tours storm damage

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Alabama state officials are taking a look back at the actions they took during Tropical Storm Isaac to see if they need to make improvements, if, and when, another storm hits.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said he declared a state of emergency during Isaac because it gave him more flexibility to save lives.

Bentley visited the beach at Gulf Shores Thursday with local mayors.

The governor ordered mandatory evacuations of Zone One and Zone Two in Mobile and Baldwin counties but, made changes after talking with local officials.

Bentley said, "We questioned whether or not we should do Zone Two. We went ahead and aired on the side of caution and did Zone Two, also on Sunday afternoon.  By Monday, we backed off of that, because we realized that that was not necessary."

Zone Two in Mobile is the northeast part of the county. In Baldwin County, Zone Two is between Highway 98 and Pleasure Island.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said, "They (state officials) turned around and allowed the folks at the front lines to manage the situation and make the decisions, and, we greatly appreciate that, more than you'll know."

Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said, "There may be some residual effects of the storm that stay in Alabama for the next few days, so, if you do what the governor urged, and come down here, be very respectful of this water."

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft looked back and ahead.

He said the area is "recovered and ready for Labor Day. We're more thankful that nobody got hurt, (that) nobody lost their homes."