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Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,249
9,279
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
Walton County Emergency Management
Monday Oct 8

As of the 4am advisory Walton County was placed under a Hurricane Watch and a Storm Surge Watch. These mean that means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher), and potentially life-threatening surge are possible within the specified area. Both are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of those hazards.

Now is the time to ensure that you, your family, and your business are prepared. Have a disaster supply kit with at least 72 hours worth of supplies, have a plan of what you are a way to be notified of conditions and protective actions, and a plan for how you will respond.

To receive updates on Watches and Warnings sign up for AlertWalton at www.alertwalton.org, have a NOAA weather radio, and/or monitor local media and social media. A frequently asked questions sheet will be pinned to the top of our Facebook page throughout the event. It will be updated as new information is made available.

If you suspect a business of price gouging please call the Florida Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226.

Walton County EM will continue to monitor this system and provide twice daily updates. Should you have any questions please email wcem@waltoncountyem.org or send us a message here on Facebook. A detailed situational awareness update is below.

Tropical Storm Michael:
• As of 8 AM EDT Monday, Tropical Storm Michael was located about 120 miles east of Cozumel, Mexico, or about 630 miles south of Panama City, FL, in the Yucatan Channel.
• Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph and Michael is moving north at 7 mph.
• Michael is expected to become a hurricane later this morning and is forecast to continue strengthening up until landfall. Landfall is currently forecast as a Category 2 with 110 mph, but a Category 3 is possible given the recent rapid intensification.
• Michael will continue to accelerate northward over the next 48 hours before making a turn towards the north-northeast or northeast as it makes landfall.
• Landfall is expected in the Panhandle or Big Bend sometime on Wednesday, and there remains some discrepancy in forward speed. A faster storm will make landfall on the western side of the forecast cone, where a slower storm will make more of a northeast turn into the Big Bend.
• Hurricane hunters will be investigating the system later this morning and again this evening.

Florida Outlook:
• Much of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend remain within the cone of error for landfall potential.
• An increase in swells and rip current risks from Michael are already present and wave heights will continue to increase through Thursday morning.
• Tropical storm conditions may arrive in the Panhandle as soon as Tuesday morning but no later than late Wednesday morning.
• Hurricane Watches are in effect for 18 Panhandle and Big Bend counties between Pensacola and Cross City including Walton County. These may be upgraded to warnings later today.
• Storm surge will be one of the greatest impacts from this storm and may affect a large portion of the Florida Gulf Coast. Storm Surge Watches have been issued between Navarre (Okaloosa County) and Anna Maria Island (Manatee County) for possible surge inundation of 2-4’ for the Tampa Bay region and western Panhandle, 4-7’ for the eastern Panhandle coast, and 7-11’ for Apalachee Bay and Nature Coast.
• Widespread rainfall totals of 4-8” with locally higher amounts of 8-10+” can be expected across the Panhandle and Big Bend, with most of it occurring on Wednesday.
• Isolated tornadoes will be possible Tuesday-Thursday, but risk and where will depend on eventual track and intensity of the system (northeast quadrant relative to forward motion).
• Ocean swells from Tropical Storm Leslie and breezy onshore winds from high pressure to the north of Florida will continue producing a moderate to high risk of rip currents along all Atlantic beaches.

Walton County Information:
• Walton County is currently in the 3-day error cone
• Walton County is under a Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch
• Walton County EOC moving to Level 2 Activation at 0900
• Walton County BCC Emergency Meeting at 1130 broadcast over Walton County EM Facebook Page
• Walton County Departments initiating hurricane response plans
• Twice daily conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center
• Twice Daily conference calls with the National Weather Service Tallahassee
• Twice daily updates to the Walton County EOC team
• Proactive social media messaging
 

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Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Walton County BCC Issues Local State of Emergency; Schools and Government Offices to see Closures

In an emergency meeting of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, held at 11:30am today, the Walton County BCC issued a Local State of Emergency that was effective immediately.

In addition to the LSE, the following governmental closures were announced:

* Walton County Schools: Closed on Tuesday, October 9th and Wednesday, October 10th

* Walton County Governmental Offices including Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk of Courts and Health Departments: Closed beginning 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 9th through Wednesday, October 10th

* Walton County Fair: Open on Monday, October 8th

Any additional decisions on closures will be determined at a later date.

At this time, Walton County is not under an Evacuation Order and no shelters are open. Decisions on evacuation orders and shelter openings will be made later today.

To find your evacuation zone, please visit: https://waltongis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=e3cd1148b3cf49a1aac8bde1aa5cf788

Walton County currently has 3 sandbag stations open to the public at the following locations. Sandbags and sand are available. Shovels will not be furnished so please bring your own.

* Blue Mountain Pit - 1002 South County Highway 83, Santa Rosa Beach
* Legion Park - 226 Ponce de Leon Street, Miramar Beach
* Lakewood Park - 30 Lakeview Drive, Santa Rosa Beach

Now is the time to act. Please make sure that you have the following prepared:

Disaster Supply Kit - Disaster Supply Kit | Walton County, FL - Home Page

Know your Family Plan - Making a Family Plan | Walton County, FL - Home Page

Register for Emergency Alerts - http://www.alertwalton.org

Social Media: www.facebook.com/WaltonCountyEM<Walton County Emergency Management> and Twitter @WaltonCountyEM

The following is provided for additional information:

Where are the shelters located within Walton County?
No Shelters are open at this time. Our primary shelter is at Freeport High School 12615 Business Highway 331 Freeport, FL 32439.

Are there any evacuations for Walton County?
There are no evacuations orders at this time. If an evacuation is ever needed a notification will go out from Emergency Management as well as press releases and over social media.

What if I have an access or functional need?

If you have an access or functional need please register on the Special Needs Shelter website.

Walton County Special Needs Registry

What do I do if I have any damage?
If you have any damage or impacts to your home or business contact emergency management at the information below. If your damage is life threatening, such as a down power line is on your home, and/or has caused injury contact 911.

* Email alertwalton@waltoncountyem.org
* Name
* Telephone Number
* Address of Damage
* Picture of the Damage
* Time the damage occurred (If known)
 

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
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Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Walton County Mandatory Evacuation Notice for Hurricane Michael

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning for Walton County. Hurricane Michael, currently a Category 1 storm, is expected to impact Walton County beginning at 8:00pm on Tuesday, October 9th.

Due to the potential of life threatening storm surge and winds predicted to accompany this storm, Walton County Emergency Management has an issued a Mandatory Evacuation order for the following evacuation zones:

- Evacuation Zone A

- Evacuation Zone B

- Evacuation Zone C

The Walton County Evacuation Zone Map can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2ESHSon. If you are unsure of your Evacuation Zone, you may search by address at http://bit.ly/2ogfd34.

Hurricane Michael is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 Major Hurricane

The issuance of this Mandatory Evacuation Order is as follows:

Issued when an imminent threat to life exists and individuals MUST evacuate in accordance with the instructions of local officials. During these unsafe conditions, Public Safety officials will not risk lives to respond to emergency calls in the affected areas. When conditions improve, response times could be severely delayed due to an inability to access the mandatory evacuation area. These delays could last for hours or days. Utilities, including electricity, water, and phone service, could be damaged and unavailable for extended periods of time. If you do not evacuate, prepare to be self-sufficient for up to 72-hours or more.

The following Shelter location will be open beginning at 7:00am on Tuesday, October 9th. This location will serve as a general population, special needs and pet friendly shelter.

Freeport High School - 12615 US 331 Business, Freeport, FL 32439

Pet Shelter Info: Pet owners must provide pet supplies, such as food bowls, water bowls, food, water and appropriate-sized carriers/crates for their dogs and cats. Walton County pet owners are asked to bring updated rabies vaccination information with them to the shelter. Although Walton County Animal Shelter staff will be onsite, no veterinarian services will be available at the shelter. Please note that only dogs and cats will be allowed at the shelter and all pet owners are expected to remain the primary caregivers for their pets during emergency shelter operations.

If you live in Evacuation Zones A, B or C please prepare your home and beginning at 7:00am on Tuesday, October 9th. Please check on your neighbors and if necessary, assist them in evacuating. If you or a neighbor requires transportation assistance to a shelter, you may call the Citizen Information Center at 850-892-8392 or 850-892-8394.

Residents and visitors should be prepared to bring the supplies they need with them to the shelter. These items include:

* A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
* Toiletries and personal items.
* Blankets or sleeping bag, and a pillow.
* Identification.
* Games, toys, books, or other entertainment.
* Special items needed for infants or elderly family members.
* Any special dietary needs.
* Non-perishable foods for snacks.
* Battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries.
* Any medications that you take.

Residents and visitors not in the Mandatory evacuation zone should prepare their homes and remain indoors as weather conditions deteriorate.

Walton County residents should monitor the situation closely as conditions can rapidly change.

Please register for emergency alerts at www.AlertWalton.org<http://www.AlertWalton.org>.

A citizen's information line has been established at 850-892-8392 or 850-892-8394; you can also find up-to-date information on the Walton County Emergency Management Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WaltonCountyEM<Walton County Emergency Management>.
 
Last edited:

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Evacuations and Re-Entry | Walton County, FL - Home Page

Evacuation Routes

From the South End of the County - Northward


All traffic will travel northward on U.S. Highway 331 - the only north-south route in Walton County, FL. All traffic originating along the beaches will converge onto U.S. Highway 331 from U.S. Highway 98 and cross over the Clyde B. Wells Bridge (also called the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge.) This bridge will close when sustained winds reach 40 mph, meaning there is no means of leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa counties also close their bridges at Phillips Inlet (to our east) and at the Destin East Pass (to our west).

Once in DeFuniak Springs, motorists can take Interstate 10 East or West or proceed on U.S. 331 North to Alabama.

What You'll Need to Do

In your family plan, map out your route to shelters or locations out of the area. Be familiar with alternate routes. Have local meeting places and an out-of-town contact in case family members are separated.

  • Monitor local news media for instructions about evacuation. If told to evacuate, do so quickly.
  • Follow evacuation route instructions.
  • Bring your disaster supply kit.
  • Keep your vehicle filled with gas at all times. Never store additional gasoline in your home or vehicle.
  • Lock your home. Leave a note stating when you left, where you are going and contact numbers.
  • Check on elderly relatives and friends who may need your assistance.
  • Contact your out-of-area contact about your plans.
  • If instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving. Remember, if you shut off gas, a professional must turn it back on.
  • Enact your pet safety plan.
  • For those living south of the Choctawhatchee Bay, the only evacuation route is U.S. 331. It is estimated it will take at least 30 hours to evacuate all residents and visitors from south Walton. Remember, the Choctawhatchee Bay bridge (Clyde B. Wells Bridge) will CLOSE when sustained winds reach 40 mph!
Returning to Walton County after an Evacuation

Access to south Walton County may be restricted immediately after the storm. The Clyde B. Wells Bridge (also known as the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge) will remain closed until inspections by the Florida Department of Transportation are done and it is deemed safe for travel. Emergency Response and damage assessment operations after the storm must be completed before the general public can be allowed back into the area.
Residents of south Walton should have with them proof of their residency such as a drivers license with a south Walton address.
Persons employed in the area should contact their employer for returning instructions and information.
Be aware and stay clear of disaster recovery operations. Avoid downed power lines, flooded or damaged roads and potentially unsafe buildings. Remember, wildlife such as snakes and other wild animals look for refuge in storms and may have made your home their safe haven during the storm.
 

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Walton County Shelters – A Last Resort – What to Expect and What to Bring

Walton County opened an evacuation shelter that will service primary, special needs and pet friendly (cats and dogs only) needs at Freeport High School located at 12615 Business Highway 331 in Freeport, FL.

It is important to know that shelters should be used as a last resort. The best first option is to find a friend or family member outside of your evacuation zone in a well-constructed home that you can host you and your family and pets. Shelters do not provide the amenities and comfort of a home. If a shelter is your last resort, we will be happy to host you.

The shelter does not provide cots, blankets or pillows and may only allow for 20sqft of floor space. Please be prepared to bring your own bedding items as well as any other important items including identification cards, prescriptions and other important documents.

Evacuation shelters are stocked with basic necessities for survival including food, water and a warm place to sleep. Go to www.waltoncountyem.org<http://www.waltoncountyem.org> for a list. However, shelters will not be able to provide the same level of convenience as a family member's home or a hotel. Oftentimes, shelters are crowded, noisy, boring, short-staffed and have very little privacy.
 
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