Wind, Waves Pound South Mobile County

Alabama Mobile Heavy flooding makes clean up on Dauphin Island and in the Fowl River area difficult.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Mon, September 01, 2008 - 5:15 pm CST

Wind and waves continue to beat up some of Mobile County's low lying areas, as residents trying to return home to Dauphin Island were turned away Monday.

Highway 193 remained closed to traffic heading to the island, but those who lived in Alabama Port were allowed to pass.

"We've rebuilt it four times," says Trey Hinton, who was driving to his father's house to assess the damage. "We're going down there to see what's up."

Hinton's wife, Ashley, is concerned they may be returning too soon. "I guess he thought the storm was coming last night, and it's really not finished yet," she says.

Meanwhile, Mobile County Senator Ben Brooks and Rep. Spencer Collier were escorted over the Dauphin Island Bridge by Alabama Marine Police. Brooks tells News Five the west end of the town received the most damage with sand blocking parts of Bienville Boulevard.

Just a few miles north, the parking lot at the Pelican Reef on the Fowl River is under water. In some areas, it is knee deep.

"It's just started receeding just a little bit," says Bill Brehm, who owns the restaurant. "We're hopeful we've had the worst of it so far."

Inside, some storm-savvy patrons are making the most of the flooding, spending the afternoon playing pool in the water. "Watch that last step," one of the patron shouts.

As of Monday evening, Dauphin Island residents were still without power. Officials say they hope to begin their cleanup efforts as soon as they've had time to assess all the damage.

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