Dennis - official notices and info

Kurt:
Is there a time by which residents must be gone...or is it strictly a function of when winds reach 40MPH?

Kurt:
Is there a time by which residents must be gone...or is it strictly a function of when winds reach 40MPH?

I'm sure the official line is leave ASAP, mandatory beginning at 4PM today. But the bridge won't close until the winds on the bridge reach 40 mph. Check the traffic sticky for additional evac details. Remember that bridges to the east and west will close also, leaving no escape.

It's important for people to leave ASAP, so emergency personnel have free roads and access to facilities to batten down the hatches.

I wanted everyone to see the latest Release by Walton County. This statement corrects my previous post, listing four shelters.
**********************************
NOTE: Only one Storm Shelter in Walton County.
**********************************

7/8/2005 2:50 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This 1 page Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency
Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.
The only shelter planned at this time in Walton County for Hurricane Dennis will be at the
Freeport High School. The school is located north of Freeport on Highway 331. This shelter will
open at 4 pm on Friday, July 8, 2005.
The EOC has no plans to open a shelter in south Walton.
End of release
For more information, contact: Ken Little, Public Information Officer
Sara Comander, Public Information coordinator
Walton County Emergency Operations Center
75 S. Davis Lane, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Public Information Phone and Fax: ( 850) 892-8680 litken@co.walton.fl.us
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
EOC Phone (850) 892-8065 Fax 892-4093

HURRICANE DENNIS NEWS RELEASE #6
Saturday, July 09, 2005 7:30 A.M.

An important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.
The Walton County Emergency Operations Center is activated to coordinate storm preparations and recovery efforts for Hurricane Dennis. Walton County is currently under a Hurricane Warning and a Flood Watch.
The following closures are in effect:
* The Walton County Head Start program and the Walton County Summer Recreation Program.
* All Walton County beaches are closed.
* All county offices and facilities are closed and will remain closed through Monday, July 11.
* The Walton County Landfill is closed though Monday and there will be no garbage pickup this weekend.

A mandatory evacuation order is now in effort for south Walton and south of Highway 20. A voluntary evacuation order has been issued for those living in low lying areas, RV parks and mobile homes for the remainder of Walton County. All persons in those areas are strongly encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible.

The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge will be closed when sustained winds reach 40 m.p.h. When the bridge is closed to traffic there will be no means of leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa counties also close their bridges to thru traffic. It is suspected that Tropical Storm Force winds will reach Walton County by 3 am on Sunday if Hurricane Dennis remains on its present projected course and speed.

Freeport High School on US 331 north of Freeport is open as a General Population and Special Needs Shelter. Persons evacuating should be aware that:
* Animals are not accepted at the shelters, except for service animals.
* People with special needs should bring a three day supply of all their medicines, water and food, including special foods. You should also bring a list of their medical conditions and contact names and numbers for doctors, home health agency serving them, and an emergency contact.

Remember the shelter is not a hospital or clinic and should be used by those with medical conditions that have no other evacuation options. There will be no doctor, acute care nurses, specialty care nurses or caretakers at the shelter. Those who need assistance with activities of daily living must bring a caregiver as necessary for 24 hour care, because there will not be staff available to meet those needs.

Those reporting to the shelter should bring the following items:
* ID
* Sleeping bag or bedding
* Special dietary items (3 day supply)
* Flashlight, change of clothing, rain gear
* Infant needs, toys for children
* Personal snacks
* A good book
* Alcohol is not allowed in the shelters.

Evacuating residents are requested to turn off electricity, water and gas to their homes if possible when leaving. In event of severe storm damage, this could alleviate further difficulties in clean up and recovery operations and aid the electric companies in restoring power.

Residents are also advised there is a shortage of gas in some areas of the county. It is strongly recommended automobiles have a full tank of gas.

Residents choosing not to evacuate should review their disaster kits, stock up on non perishable food items, water, ice and cash, battery operated radio and extra batteries, non electric can opener and a first aid kit. You need to be prepared to be self-sustaining for 3 to 5 days. Those who choose to remain are advised at a certain point before the main storm hits land, emergency response personnel will be unable to assist them.

Citizens may call the Emergency Operations Center Information lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Residents should stay tuned to local media for current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is being posed to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

When they say the beaches are closed, what happens if someone walks on the beach? Do they issue tickets? Or is it a "at your own risk" kind of thing?

When they say the beaches are closed, what happens if someone walks on the beach? Do they issue tickets? Or is it a "at your own risk" kind of thing?

When the beaches are closed, the Sheriff's Deputies can write tickets, but right now, they have better things to do, which I doubt would include hanging out at Hwy 98/283 and Hwy 98/395.

HURRICANE DENNIS NEWS RELEASE #7

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

Update from the EOC:
* The Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast is closed. The Destin Urgent Care Center on Highway 98 will close at 7 pm on Saturday. Healthmark Regional Medical Center located on Highway 331 in DeFuniak Springs will remain open.
* A general population refuge will open at Okaloosa Walton College, Building Two (2) on Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs at noon on Saturday, July 09, 2005. This is not a certified hurricane shelter and is not manned by the Red Cross.
* Court hearings and trials scheduled for Monday, July 11th in the First Judicial Circuit, which includes Walton County, have been postponed until further notice.
* Walton County Animal Control will cease picking up animals at 4 pm on Saturday.
* Alcoholic beverages and liquor sales in Walton County will be suspended at 10 pm on Saturday.
* All non-emergency operations will cease when the winds reach 35 m.p.h. and all emergency operations, including fire, EMS and animal control will be suspended when the winds reach 45 m.p.h.
The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8304. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

From NHC:

A STORM SURGE OF 10 TO 12 FEET IS POSSIBLE NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER OF DENNIS CROSSES THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST ON SUNDAY.

DENNIS IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO
8 INCHES ACROSS THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE...SOUTHERN ALABAMA...AND SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. ISOLATED TOTALS NEAR 12 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE NEAR WHERE DENNIS MAKES LANDFALL ALONG THE GULF COAST.

Good thing we're not relying on http://www.co.walton.fl.us


They're down just like during Ivan and they talked a lot afterward about not letting that happen again.


This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

The Tri-Village Fire Department that serves the Choctaw Beach area has relocated to the Freeport Fire station until after Hurricane Dennis passes through our area.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Citizens are reminded 911 is for emergency calls only. Do not call 911 to report power outages, roadway blockage or other storm damage. Call the Citizens Information Lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394.

Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

Kurt, maybe the county should hire you to run their site...I talked to them after Ivan and they assured my they'd be using some of our tax dollars to keep the site up and provide info to property owners during the storm. Looks like that didn't happen.

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson advises all school board offices and schools will be closed on Monday, July 11, 2005

The regularly monthly meeting of the Walton County School Board scheduled for Monday has been cancelled.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Citizens are reminded 911 is for emergency calls only. Do not call 911 to report power outages, roadway blockage or other storm damage. Call the Citizens Information Lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394.

Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton
County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of
Walton County.

The following roads are closed in Walton County: Scenic Gulf Drive to
the Okaloosa County line, 30A at Oyster Lake and Fort Panic. Thompson
Road across from Bryan Road, Raley Road is closed at the pavement and
Bell Drive is closed off Caswell.

The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge is still closed at this time, however
residents of south Walton will be given access on Monday, if they have a
photo ID with their address.

The Walton County Landfill will open at 8 am on Monday and trash pickup
will resume in DeFuniak Springs. Waste Management will be at 70%
capacity on Monday and 100% on Tuesday. Storm related vegetative debris
pickup is pending and will be announced as soon as possible.

Residents returning to their homes are reminded to check for storm
related damage. Report any damage to the Citizens Information Lines at
892-8394 or 892-8392. People living in low lying areas should be aware
of the potential for flooding and should use extreme caution.

Due to a loss of pressure in a portion of South Walton Utilities water
system a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for that
portion of the water system located south of Scenic Gulf Drive. All
water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled. A rolling boil of
one minute is sufficient. This "precautionary boil water notice" will
remain in effect until the problem is been corrected and a
bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information call Matthew Coleman at the Walton County Health
Department at 850-892-8031.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens
at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911.
Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and
developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also
being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton
County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of
Walton County.

Public Works and Engineering
Damage assessment teams from the county and the TDC will continue
assessing damage on Monday.
Residents returning to their homes are reminded to check for storm
related damage. Report any damage to the Citizens Information Lines at
892-8394 or 892-8392. People living in low lying areas should be aware
of the potential for flooding and should use extreme caution.

Power
Chelco and Gulf Power are also assessing damage and restoring power to
the remaining areas that are without power. People using generators
during the storm are reminded they should not be wired directly into
their homes, this could result in damage to the power lines and the
workmen.

Roads and Bridges
The following roads are closed in Walton County: Scenic Gulf Drive to
the Okaloosa County line, 30A at Oyster Lake and Fort Panic, and Bell
Drive is closed off Caswell.
The I-10 bridge is closed in Pensacola.
The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge is to residents of south Walton, and a
photo ID with a address will be needed before entry is allowed.


Emergency Services
All emergency services are operational and animal control complaints
will be handled after 8 am on Monday.

Food and Water
Distribution sites for food, water and ice are pending the results of
assessments.

Health and Medical
Due to a loss of pressure in a portion of South Walton Utilities water
system a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for that
portion of the water system located south of Scenic Gulf Drive. All
water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled. A rolling boil of
one minute is sufficient. This "precautionary boil water notice" will
remain in effect until the problem is been corrected and a
bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information call Matthew Coleman at the Walton County Health
Department at 850-892-8031.

Price Gouging Hotline
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a
request that residents report price gouging to 1-800-435-7352.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens
at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911.
Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and
developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also
being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

KURT- can we get across the bridge with our condo owners insurance policy? Of course it shows a Tennessee address but proves we're property owners


:idontno:

KURT- can we get across the bridge with our condo owners insurance policy? Of course it shows a Tennessee address but proves we're property owners


:idontno:

Bridge is now open to all traffic.

One of their press releases says 30-A is closed at Ft. Panic. This is an area that has very little dune protection (never really has, even before Ivan). I am guessing there was some significant wash-over there?