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Dennis - roads, traffic, evacuation & return

Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
6,605 views
Evacuation Routes in Walton County
U.S. 331 is the only evacuation route for
those leaving south Walton after a general evacuation has
been ordered.

The Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge (Clyde B.Wells Bridge)
will be closed when sustained winds reach 40 miles per
hour.

When the bridge is closed to traffic there is no means of
leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa
counties also close their bridges at Phillips Inlet and at the
Destin East Pass.

Before the bridge is closed, both lanes of 331 may be
routed with northbound traffic only.

Once travelers reach the intersection of U.S. 331 and SR
20 in Freeport,Walton County Sheriff?s deputies will
direct traffic in two directions.

Cars in the right lane of U.S. 331 will be directed
right on SR20 to Bruce, FL where they will be
directed again by deputies to turn left and go
north on SR 81 to Ponce de Leon.

In Ponce de Leon traffic can continue north on SR 81 into
Alabama or take I-10 east or west.

Cars in the left lane of U.S. 331 will turn left on
SR20 and then right on U.S. 331 North to
DeFuniak Springs. Once in DeFuniak Springs,
motorists can take I-10 east or west, proceed on
U.S. 331 North to Alabama, or take SR 83 in
DeFuniak Springs into Alabama.

Louisiana travelers:
http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/press...sp?page=cameras
Mississippi travelers:
http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/
Alabama travelers:
http://www.dot.state.al.us/docs
Florida travelers:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicin...ce/traveler.htm​
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Edited

Replies

28
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#2
331 Northbound is at a crawl...

just in case y'all needed to know...

Stay safe,
JS
Kurt avatar
KurtAdminAuthor
#3
Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

Are you looking at it from your house? Keep us posted.
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
#4
Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

To the west, SR 85 and SR 285 are bumper to bumper.
Cavallino avatar
CavallinoBeach Comber
#5
Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

331 is backed up to 98
98 backed up to 283
283 backed up ALMOST to 30A

we are staying put and heading out later tonight
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#6
Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...







Go to my photo album and click on the photos to enlarge them.

Traffic appears to be backing up at the south end of the bridge, but it opens up quickly. I am sure traffic is backed for a few miles at Hwy 331/20.
cdeloachBeach Comber
#7
hi all!!! Love the site and enjoy it daily. Just curious, Where are you taking the pictures at the bay?? Looks really familiar to me. :idontno:
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#8
hi all!!! Love the site and enjoy it daily. Just curious, Where are you taking the pictures at the bay?? Looks really familiar to me. :idontno:
Blakely, sounds like some kind of Peanut town. (just kidding, and probably you are the only one on this board who will get that, but it is fun making them wonder.)

Those two photos of the Bay were taken from Grayton Bayou. Ever been there?
sweetBeach Lover
#9
We are in Seacrest Beach, Heading back to Atlanta on Saturday by 7Am on Saturday. We are going to take 98 to 79 does anyone know if that route will be opened
Kurt avatar
KurtAdminAuthor
#10
We are in Seacrest Beach, Heading back to Atlanta on Saturday by 7Am on Saturday. We are going to take 98 to 79 does anyone know if that route will be opened

I can think of no reason why that would be closed.

Check the links that pertain to your route:
Louisiana travelers:
http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/press...sp?page=cameras
Mississippi travelers:
http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/
Alabama travelers:
http://www.dot.state.al.us/docs
Florida travelers:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicin...ce/traveler.htm
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#11
Smiling Joe has a much better view than I do...and I'll be joining the parade at about daybreak.

Good luck to all -
Kurt avatar
KurtAdminAuthor
#12
Lodging information for Alabama may be obtained by calling the Alabama Tourism and Travel Office at (800) 252-2262.

Georgia lodging information may be obtained by calling the Georgia Tourism Office at (800) 847-4842, which will direct callers to local visitors? bureaus in requested cities.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#13

Traffic is thick on the 331 bridge -- 7:00pm July 8 2005

Anyone heard from Emily? I hope she does rear her head anytime soon.
phdphay avatar
phdphayBeach Fanatic
#15
It took us 2-1/2 hours to get from the 395/98 intersection to the other side of the 331 bridge. A trip that normally takes us at most 4-1/4 hours took us 7. We just got home at 12:45 AM EDT. We're fried! Thankfully a friend told us to turn on Black Creek Road after crossing the bridge turn to get off 331, or we'd still be driving.
Kurt avatar
KurtAdminAuthor
#16
ShallowsNole says traffic on 331 and I-10 east toward Tallahassee this morning was heavy but steadily moving.

Bay County started their mandatory evac this morning so expect roads north out of there, Hwy 20, and I-10 east might get heavier as the day grows.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#17
331 bridge report

This morning, July 9, the traffic is extremely light. Many boats can be seen moving up creeks and bayous.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#18
331 Bridge (Clyde Wells Bridge) is now officially closed. The Bridge closes when sustained winds reach 40mph.
gsigmanBeach Comber
#19
Is anyone planning on staying??? If not , when do u plan to come back?
dustyBeach Lover
#20
I posted this on the Hurricane Dennis thread: saw yesterday--The Weather Channel interviewed an official from PC/PCB and he said they close their bridge when the sustained winds are at 55 mph.

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