Hurricane season is in full swing, which means it's time to plan — ahead of time — for evacuation and re-entry. If you are a resident or business owner in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, …
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Hurricane season is in full swing, which means it's time to plan — ahead of time — for evacuation and re-entry.
If you are a resident or business owner in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, you'll need re-entry credentials to return to the area after an evacuation. These decals identify authorized individuals and help prevent unauthorized entry by storm damage spectators, looters and unlicensed contractors.
"One of the key components to resident's emergency preparedness plan should include securing a Hurricane Re-Entry Decal well before any storm," said Grant Brown, Gulf Shores public information officer. "Decals allow residents to return to their home or property when access is being controlled."
It's crucial not to wait until a storm approaches because both cities stop issuing re-entry decals when a hurricane warning goes into effect.
In Orange Beach, every property and home within the city limits is located within an assigned emergency/hurricane zone. The number on your hurricane decal corresponds with your property's respective zone. Between 30,000 and 35,000 decals are being issued starting from the end of May.
"In the event of an emergency where the city of Orange Beach is evacuated, hurricane decals serve to identify those who should be allowed into a restricted area at the appropriate time," Orange Beach City Administrator Ford Handley said. "The decals make reentry easier if checkpoints are required to assure safe reentry into the city of Orange Beach following a destructive storm that causes a public safety issue."
Orange Beach residents can obtain new decals and two additional $10 re-entry decals from two locations:
What to bring
Residents must bring proof of residency and have an up-to-date utility account. Each property receives two decals.
Business owners
All businesses with a storefront in Orange Beach will have a hurricane zone on the business license and can receive re-entry decals. Contractors with current and active permits can have the code put on to their license.
Renters and condos
Orange Beach renters receive one decal, and the property owner receives another. Residents of condominiums, townhouses and apartments will receive their decals from the HOA, POA, COA or property management company.
Next steps
The city of Orange Beach advises residents not to affix re-entry decals to their vehicles until a mandatory evacuation is announced. The Beach Express is the official re-entry point for the City of Orange Beach.
Resident parking
Re-entry decals in Orange Beach do not serve as resident parking stickers. Separate decals are required to park at the Gulf State Park beach accesses in Orange Beach. A separate pass for city beach parking at CoastAL will be issued for residents only at a later date.
Gulf Shores residents received two decals by mail this year. These re-entry decals also grant residents free parking privileges. Around 50,000 re-entry credentials are issued each 2-year cycle.
New residents
New Gulf Shores residents can obtain re-entry decals from the following locations:
What to bring
New residents are required to bring proof of residency or property ownership such as a deed, lease or utility bill that bears the street address of their property along with a driver's license.
Additional passes
Up to three additional passes can be purchased for $5 each. Residents must provide proof of residency or property ownership along with a driver's license. Forms of proof of residency accepted are a deed, lease or utility bill that bears the street address for the property where the decal is being purchased.
Business owners
Businesses can purchase up to 10 re-entry passes. The passes do not offer free parking privileges.
Next steps
Wondering what to do with your decal sticker once you get it? In Gulf Shores, decals must be permanently affixed to the inside of the vehicle windshield on the driver's side to be considered valid. Any sticker not permanently affixed could result in the vehicle being towed or fined at all city-managed parking areas.
