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