Alabama Declares State of Emergency

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency today as his state prepares for a potentially fierce storm, AL.com reports. The governor warned that Tropical Storm Karen will bring high winds, heavy rains, and possibly tornadoes when it makes landfall tomorrow night. "Residents and businesses along Alabama’s coast should monitor weather conditions and be prepared for whatever this tropical storm may bring," Bentley said.

At least so far, Alabama vacationers aren't cancelling their plans—probably because the National Shrimp Festival, a major Gulf Shore tourist event, is next weekend, reports AL.com. "We have the vast majority of our guests that are holding their reservations and coming knowing that they’re going to have a rainy day or two," said a rep for rental homes and condos. Rainy is right: Karen may develop into a Category 1 hurricane that brings two to five inches of rain and winds at 30mph, the Montgomery Advertiser reports. (FEMA is even recalling furloughed workers.)