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Morgan County EMA: Shelters will open after a tornado watch is issued

Officials say if people have options other than community shelters, seek those first.

DECATUR, Ala. — Morgan County officials confirmed at least 31 cases of COVID-19 in the area on Wednesday.

Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling encourages people to follow the 'Stay At Home' order issued by Governor Ivey.

Meanwhile, officials are also preparing for an overnight storm.

Morgan County EMA Director Eddie Hicks says community shelters will open after a tornado watch is issued.

Hicks says if people have options other than community shelters, seek those first.

If not, it's possible that those public shelters will have more than ten people. 

"There will be a disclaimer when you go in. If you have the mask, carry them with you. Anything to keep from spreading anything while you're in that situation if it were less than six feet," says Hicks.

Hicks also says that if people decide to seek community shelters to go before a tornado warning is issued.

"You do not know how close the storm is, and there have been incidents not fortunately in Decatur, but in other cities where people were trying to go to shelter because they waited 'til the warning was issued. And then they were killed in their automobiles trying to get to shelter," added Hicks.

Click here for a list of community shelters.

RELATED: Severe weather shelters during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions

RELATED: Social distancing isn't guaranteed inside storm shelters

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