Hurricane Helene Updates & Info

[Kurt]

Walton County Emergency Management | Walton County, FL - Home Page

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Walton County Emergency Management | DeFuniak Springs FL

Walton County Emergency Management, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. 45,812 likes · 69 talking about this · 249 were here. Walton County EM is your OFFICIAL source for emergency notifications and disaster...

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Tonight's update for #HurricaneHelene Here's a summary of the storm's overall impact:

Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen in the southern Gulf of
Mexico this evening. It is now forecast to rapidly intensify into a
powerful Category 4 hurricane before making landfall along the Florida Big Bend on Thursday.

Confidence is increasing for catastrophic impacts across our region including high winds, catastrophic and life-threatening storm surge in Apalachee Bay, flash flooding from heavy rainfall, and a few tornadoes. Helene is a large storm and impacts will extend well outside the cone of uncertainty. Preparations should be completed this evening, as conditions deteriorate during the day Thursday. For the full advisory from US National Weather Service Tallahassee Florida, see here: WWA Summary by Location for 30.68N 86.22W with FLZ008/FLC131/FLZ008 emphasis Hurricane Local Statement

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For #WaltonCounty, we are on the western side of this storm, but as mentioned above, impacts will be seen well outside of the "cone of uncertainty." We have already started to see rainy conditions in our county and this will continue throughout this evening and tomorrow. Flash flooding and tropical storm force winds will be expected to begin in the morning and increase throughout the afternoon.

We are currently under a Flash Flood WARNING and Tropical Storm WARNING. Earlier this afternoon, we declared a local state of emergency for our county (LSE) to allow our team to order necessary resources for response. Additionally, Walton County Board of County Commissioners, Florida will be closed tomorrow, with normal operations planned for Friday, September 27th.

We have had MANY questions about evacuations, so let us be clear. We evacuate for storm surge (water that is pushed inshore from forward wind), NOT rain or wind. There are NO evacuation orders in place. Now, if you do not feel safe in your structure, you are more than welcome to make plans with family/friends inland or take a nice vacation to Biloxi (honestly, we wish we could go with you...kidding). YOU need to do what is best for YOU; we cannot make that decision for you. Again, the forecast is not favorable for an evacuation, and we would NEVER call for an evacuation without a place for you to go.

Sandbag locations will still be open tomorrow in our two locations in South Walton and Freeport. However, the earliest time of tropical storm force winds will be in the morning, so please plan accordingly.

Speaking of wind - let's talk about the bridge. THE BRIDGE IS OPEN AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW IF IT CLOSES. FDOT and FHP are responsible for making this decision. 40 MPH SUSTAINED winds is their trigger, which is likely for tomorrow's forecast. Trust us, you'll be the first to know if it closes, but please plan accordingly.

And if you haven't taken the time to sign up for AlertWalton, we need you to do so. Visit alertwalton.org to sign up for the latest weather and community updates.

We're keeping an eye on this storm and we need you to do the same! Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. We're in this together.

 

[Kurt]

Helene is staying true to initial tracking as the National Hurricane Center predicted. It looks like we will get plenty of rain and some stout wind (mostly in SoWal from the east and then north later today.

 

[Kurt]

 

[Kurt]

 

[Dawn]

Appreciate you Teresa and Kurt! The calm before the storm.

 

[Mike Jones]

Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified into a Category 2 storm early Thursday, prompting urgent warnings for residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast to complete preparations as the powerful system approaches.

As of 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Helene’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 100 mph. The storm was located about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and 365 miles south of Apalachicola, moving north-northeast at 12 mph.
Forecasters expect Helene to continue strengthening, likely becoming a major hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

“Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this evening,” the NHC stated in its advisory this morning. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”

A life-threatening storm surge warning is in effect for much of Florida’s west coast, from Mexico Beach to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. The NHC warns that water levels could reach 15 to 20 feet above ground in some areas between Carrabelle and the Suwannee River.

Hurricane warnings extend from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, with tropical storm warnings covering a broader area including the Florida Keys and parts of Cuba.
Heavy rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding and urban flooding across the southeastern U.S., with 6 to 12 inches of rain forecast and isolated totals up to 18 inches possible. The NHC warns of significant river flooding and numerous landslides in the southern Appalachians.

The risk of tornadoes is increasing, particularly in northern Florida, southeast Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas.

 

[bob1]

There appears to be erroneous reports circulating on social media regarding the closing of bridges in Walton County, specifically the Clyde Wells Bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.

There are currently NO plans to close any bridges in Walton County at this time. If such a decision is made, that determination will be made by the Florida Department of Transportation and notices will be sent to Walton County. The public’s best source of information regarding Hurricane Helene information and alerts, please visit the website of Walton County Emergency Management. All official hurricane news will be issued from that source.

Visit Walton County Emergency Management | Walton County, FL - Home Page

Ron Kelley

Walton County Public Information

 

[UofL]

Meteorology isn't perfect, but this year, we've taken important papers/technology to our lower level because of tornado warning/sirens 3 times. And there were (small) tornadoes within 5 miles of our Louisville home. And even minor winds can really set a family back for a while. We were just at Seaside last couple of weeks when Francine brought in some rain. I'm hoping the area survives it again. I think of the Pensacola area then PCB and Bend areas that have been hit in the past. The other part of the hurricanes - no matter where they hit - there is the possibility of tornadoes. Stay safe. Ellen

 

[Kurt]

Hurricane Helene Update from Walton County
9/26/2024 - 5:15 pm

At 4 p.m. CDT the eye of Hurricane Helene was located near latitude 27.9 North, longitude 84.6 West. Helene is moving toward the north-northeast near 23 mph (37 km/h). A continued fast motion to the north-northeast is expected through landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts.

For the full advisory from US National Weather Service Tallahassee Florida, see here: WWA Summary by Location for 30.68N 86.22W with FLZ008/FLC131/FLZ008 emphasis Hurricane Local Statement

Walton County is still under a tropical storm warning, with expected tropical force winds and heavy rainfall. However, there have been no evacuations ordered, and the Clyde B. Wells bridge on U.S. 331 remains open. Still, Helene is a dangerous storm and residents are encouraged to stay off the roadways and in a safe location.

Walton County School District Schools will remain closed Friday, Sept. 27. School activities have been rescheduled, please refer to the School District’s website for more information.

Walton County is hosting a state-supported shelter in DeFuniak Springs at the Community Center on 361 N. 10th Street. The shelter is for our neighbors to the east that are avoiding impacts from Hurricane Helene. The shelter will remain open for general population, special needs clients and pets. It is important to note, while this is NOT a county shelter, any residents who feel unsafe in their homes are welcome. There are NO evacuation orders for Walton County residents.

Due to the large size of Helene, impacts are seen beyond the cone of uncertainty. Thankfully, Walton County is anticipating being unscathed from a majority of the impacts from Helene, including life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend. The highest inundation of greater than 12 ft is expected along the Florida Big Bend coast.

For additional information, visit the Walton County Emergency Management website, Hurricane Season Frequently Asked Questions | Walton County, FL - Home Page

 

[bob1]

My problem is with you and your team forecasting the wrong information for South Walton…. There’s a big difference between Franklin Calhoun and Gulf county if you want to do the right thing by people who come on your site,forecast for South Walton. Go back and read it. She was specifically saying we were going to have dire weather… don’t be so self-righteous…

Geez. You're the self righteous one. Go start your own website so I can come tell you how to run it. Are you too dense to understand she REPOSTED the content and didn't write it? No one forecasted anything for South Walton. Your reading comprehension sux.