Hurricane Irma

SRB Publix will close at 5pm on Sunday and be closed all day Monday.

South Walton Fire District
Hurricane Irma Update 2pm
The 2 pm advisory has the hurricane tracking further west at 14 mph towards SW Florida with maximum 155 mph winds near the eye wall.

Walton County is still outside of the 5-day error cone (cone of uncertainty). No evacuations or protective actions have been issued by Walton County Emergency Management. SWFD will continue to monitor Hurricane Irma and provide you with the most current and accurate Hurricane information possible.

Please follow trusted sources for hurricane information such as:
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http://www.facebook.com/WaltonCountyEM
Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
For Florida interstate information: https://fl511.com/

I'm enjoying the "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Croft) while waiting on the "Stormbringer" (Deep Purple) to issue in the possibility of my "Riding the Storm Out" (REO Speed Wagon), and hopefully not "Rock you like a Hurricane" (Scorpions).

Much better would be hanging out on "Thunder Island" (Jay Ferguson) and making an easy "Escape" sipping a Pina Colada (Rupert Holmes).

Naples

I have been coming for 21 yrs. Before Alys Beach, Watercolor, Water Sound, and several establishments. I joined this forum when Daddi-0 started after we got evacuated from Hurricane Ivan, just a few days after we got here. It was our first year to get to stay 2 weeks and we were so disappointed. But Kurt's SoWal page gave us a lot of comfort. Smiling Joe posted a lot of pics, as did Kurt, and we just stared at them for days, I have looked for them several times since and can't find them anymore. We stayed at Eastern Shores near the big pink house that had the fake dog on the steps going up to what used to be a basement. When Kurt showed the pic of that dog sitting on the beach unharmed I literally cried. When disaster strikes such small things mean so much. I remember Ms. Kitty, and so many of the originals that I can't recall. now. Kathy D. Wells, I remember and there were some very funny characters there, like the woman that was always trying to get a date and 30AGay(?) We had tittie cakes and anything else you could think of and that sweet couple that owned the restaurant atop a building across from The Red Bar. It was not so long ago, but it meant heaven to us. And we met so many wonderful people at Eastern Shores, one couple from our own home town that we have come down with every fall, for our two weeks. He is a musician and plays at The Old Florida Fish House and The Red Bar occasionally when we are there. Probably should play at the Hub and other places now. Name is Steve Rutledge and the Groove Evolution. Mr. Modica was always there to greet us. There were some great home design businesses in strip malls in Seaside and in Seagrove, and one next door to a florist.
I have been to Boca Rotan, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, San Francisco, Key West and Cabo and this is my favorite place.
I pray God blesses all of you and keeps you safe. Most of you I don't personally know, but I feel that I know your hearts and I care about all of you. Please stay safe and I hope to see you on the 16th.

As Hurricane Irma's "cone of uncertainty" shifts, locate the closest evacuation route to your home, and make sure... fb.me/1B2Crfwco
@mychelco on twitter

The 8am advisory from National Hurricane Center showed no shift in the cone of possibility. Right now it is at Cape San Blas. Down south, the hurricane has not yet made the big predicted turn, but it should happen in the next 3 or 4 hours. As is, if the predicted course did move westward, we would possibly feel effects about 2pm on Monday. Keep monitoring this closely, but if we see a westward trend in the next 6-8 hours, we would still have ample time to move westward on Monday out of the range of possible effects.

I have been coming for 21 yrs. Before Alys Beach, Watercolor, Water Sound, and several establishments. I joined this forum when Daddi-0 started after we got evacuated from Hurricane Ivan, just a few days after we got here. It was our first year to get to stay 2 weeks and we were so disappointed. But Kurt's SoWal page gave us a lot of comfort. Smiling Joe posted a lot of pics, as did Kurt, and we just stared at them for days, I have looked for them several times since and can't find them anymore. We stayed at Eastern Shores near the big pink house that had the fake dog on the steps going up to what used to be a basement. When Kurt showed the pic of that dog sitting on the beach unharmed I literally cried. When disaster strikes such small things mean so much. I remember Ms. Kitty, and so many of the originals that I can't recall. now. Kathy D. Wells, I remember and there were some very funny characters there, like the woman that was always trying to get a date and 30AGay(?) We had tittie cakes and anything else you could think of and that sweet couple that owned the restaurant atop a building across from The Red Bar. It was not so long ago, but it meant heaven to us. And we met so many wonderful people at Eastern Shores, one couple from our own home town that we have come down with every fall, for our two weeks. He is a musician and plays at The Old Florida Fish House and The Red Bar occasionally when we are there. Probably should play at the Hub and other places now. Name is Steve Rutledge and the Groove Evolution. Mr. Modica was always there to greet us. There were some great home design businesses in strip malls in Seaside and in Seagrove, and one next door to a florist.
I have been to Boca Rotan, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, San Francisco, Key West and Cabo and this is my favorite place.
I pray God blesses all of you and keeps you safe. Most of you I don't personally know, but I feel that I know your hearts and I care about all of you. Please stay safe and I hope to see you on the 16th.

Oh yeah - the Seagrove dog - Some old photos in the archive:
SoWal Beaches Photo Archive | SoWal.com

We are now under tropical storm warnings for anybody that hasn't turned to heavy drinking yet. The cone, bless it's little heart, hasn't moved any. Decisions will have to be made tomorrow morning. The first effects will be felt Monday morning. That's my assessment, and I'll drink to that!

Walton County Now Included in Tropical Storm Warning: Issues Local State of Emergency – Local Shelter to Open Sunday Morning in Conjunction with VOLUNTARY Evacuation Notice

DeFuniak Springs, FL – September 9, 2016 - 6:00 PM – As of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Walton County has been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning, indicating the potential for tropical storm force winds to arrive Sunday evening.

Tropical storm winds range from 39-74 mph, and current forecasts state that Walton County has a 1 in 3 chance of receiving sustained tropical storm force winds. Those winds are forecast to potentially arrive sometime between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunday night but is subject to change based upon forward speed of the storm. Due to the storm’s approach, we are not expecting ANY storm surge or flooding to accompany this storm in Walton County.

Based on the information from the NHC, Walton Chairwoman Cecilia Jones has declared a Local State of Emergency and the Emergency Management Director in coordination with the Executive Policy Group have issued a VOLUNTARY evacuation notice beginning at 10:00am.

The County will also open a general population and special needs shelter at Freeport High School beginning at 10:00am Sunday morning for those who decide to VOLUNTARILY evacuate from their travel trailers, mobile homes, or those who do not feel unsafe in their homes or have special needs.

Freeport High School Shelter

12165 US Hwy 331 Business

Freeport, FL 32439

Shelter Opening: 10:00am Sunday, September 10



County Closings for Monday, September 11th

- Walton County Governmental Offices

- Walton County Tax Collector’s Office

- Walton County Clerk of Courts

- Walton County Property Appraiser

- Walton County Supervisor of Elections

- Walton County School System

- City of DeFuniak Springs (Monday Council Meeting also Cancelled)


Walton County Emergency Management will continue to have the Citizen Information Center at the Emergency Operations Center activated. The Center is staffed to assist with the distribution of information to Walton County residents, visitors and any evacuees that may arrive in Walton County.


Citizen Information Line: (850) 892-8392, or (850) 892-8394, or you can dial 2-1-1



Additional Information:



· To receive updates on County actions during a disaster like a hurricane follow our social media accounts.

o Facebook: Walton County Emergency Management (Walton County Emergency Management)

o Twitter: @WaltonCountyEM

o Website: Emergency Management | Walton County, FL - Home Page

o For Florida interstate information: FL511 | Florida Traffic | Commuter Information

I have found that boarding up at my leisure is much better than boarding up because a Hurricane is pressuring me.

I have found that boarding up at my leisure is much better than boarding up because a Hurricane is pressuring me.

Does it look dark inside?

As of the 8PM advisory, the cone took a major wiggle east towards Carrabelle, but it will remain at hurricane strength into Georgia.

Does it look dark inside?

Yes yes it does. I am a little concerned though about all holes I will be repairing in my sheetrock and not sure how mounting plywood on the inside is to protect the glass. But hey, I am done.

Plus, you can install it while in air-conditioning and watching the Bama game. Brilliant!

Yes yes it does. I am a little concerned though about all holes I will be repairing in my sheetrock and not sure how mounting plywood on the inside is to protect the glass. But hey, I am done.

Why not mount on the exterior? Just curious.

We are now under tropical storm warnings for anybody that hasn't turned to heavy drinking yet. The cone, bless it's little heart, hasn't moved any. Decisions will have to be made tomorrow morning. The first effects will be felt Monday morning. That's my assessment, and I'll drink to that!

You're a cone head.

Why not mount on the exterior? Just curious.

That was an option? Youtube got me again!

That was an option? Youtube got me again!

I'm here to learn, so that's why I ask.

Did the same thing with my sod, brown side up. Boy that was another youtube mistake.

Seriously, folks. I've been studying the cone a lot for over a week. As late as Thurs 2PM the center of the track was predicted off shore to the east of the Peninsula. It has drifted since then to approximately centered on Tallahassee in 2.5 days. In one more full day, the center of the track could drift towards us, and it has drifted towards us a lot in the last 6 hours. I think that evacuating is the best idea, at this time. I think we are leaving at about noon. We will have 20-25 mph winds all day today, so be safe in making preparations.

My last post got deleted because it was a naked link. Sorry about that, I must have overlooked that rule. Below is a (modestly draped) local update link for Irma.
Latest on Hurricane Irma Hopefully this satisfies the parameters because it is good information to have and it updates when new reports come in. Be safe!

The images at the beginning of this thread auto-update, the cone has not shifted west in awhile but keep an eagle eye on it. As of now looks like Irma will be a category one when it reaches our latitiude, with tropical storm force winds in SoWal with moderate rainfall. But rain totals are hard to predict, because of the way the rain bands and trains in cyclones.

latest local forecast: equivalent tropical storm force wind
- peak wind forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 50 mph
- window for tropical storm force winds: monday morning until monday afternoon

potential impacts: limited
- minor damage to frame built homes, limited primarily due to loss of roof shingles or gutters as well as damage to porches, awnings, carports and sheds. some mobile homes damaged. unsecured lightweight objects blown around.
- a few trees uprooted, with many large limbs snapped.
- isolated road closures due to fallen debris, especially in wooded areas.
- isolated power and communication outages.

* storm surge
- no storm surge inundation forecast