MONTGOMERY, Ala. -
High winds and heavy surf conditions continue to pound the coast of Alabama on Wednesday. While many Alabama residents heeded the warning to evacuate, others decided to ride out Isaac.
Gov. Robert Bentley had ordered residents of low-lying coastal areas and flood-prone areas of Mobile and Baldwin counties to evacuate Monday. But he announced Tuesday that he was revising the order because the National Hurricane Center lifted its hurricane warning for the Alabama coast.
However, Bentley still recommended that people in low-lying, flood-prone areas move to safer locations because of heavy rains and storm surge forecast at 4 feet to 8 feet.
For Heather Herman, the impending storm meant a change in her wedding plans. Herman and her fiancé, Josh Everly, had planned sunset nuptials at Orange Beach.
"We were really disappointed because now it's going to happen for another year at least. So it's been really hard," said Herman. "We've actually joked about naming our first kid Isaac at this point."
Police in Gulf Shores closed Highway 59, the main road into town and also shut down Beach Road. They also went door-to-door to evacuate homes.
Despite the warnings, Randy Smith chose to stay on his boat.
"I might not be able to get any sleep for 12 hours, but I'm going to be able to take care of the boat," said Smith.
During Katrina, Smith's boat was blown into a parking lot in New Orleans. This time, Smith has loaded his boat with food and supplies and was confident he'd be OK.
"I've not done a hurricane, but I have been under a squall for three days with over 20 foot seas, so this is going to be nothing compared to that," said Smith.
Wind gusts of 70 mph continued to be felt in the Orange Beach area on Wednesday, and most businesses and homes in Gulf Shores were evacuated, according to FOX 5's Justin Gray.
Material from the Associated Press is used in this report
