(MOBILE, Ala.) March 25- Wading through water is a way of life for Patti Hoppe. Wednesday water was already building up around her bait and tackle shop along Dog River. Last year, the property was covered by water during Hurricane Gustav.
"It was under water I'd say probably I'd say a good knee deep or above," said Hoppe.
So Hoppe is not concerned by a surge report.
"It doesn't effect me what they do with it because I'm going to be in it I think irregardless of what it is."
But now there may be new members in the club. Mobile County Emergency Management Director Walt Dickerson is examining the new hurricane storm surge zones the Army Corp of Engineers just released. It shows more areas are vulnerable than indicated in the last survey taken seven years ago.
"Chickasaw area, some areas near Mount Vernon," said Dickerson. "Some areas just going up 43 in general, basically that could be impacted by a category three storm."
Dickerson stresses storm surges are just a possibility in those areas. Not the foregone conclusion Hoppe has come to expect during hurricanes over the years.
"You know, you just move out, move back, move out, move back, just go with it like that," said Hoppe.
Although it remains to be seen how insurance rates might change in those areas now included in surge zones, an Allstate representative says some homeowners may be required to purchase flood insurance.
Baldwin County's storm zones have also expanded in some areas.
