Hurricane Michael Official News & Info

[Kurt]

Walton County Under Mandatory Evacuation - Michael Projected to Make Landfall as a CAT 3 Hurricane

The National Hurricane Center continues its Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning for Walton County. Hurricane Michael, currently a Category 2 storm, is expected to impact Walton County with potential Tropical Storm Force winds beginning as early as Tuesday Evening, 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

Storm surge potentials ae forecast to be between 3' to 6' above ground level.

Confidence is increasing in a landfall in the vicinity of Panama City, but still could be anywhere from Destin to Apalachicola.

Wind speeds at this time for Walton County have a potential to reach between 74mph and 110mph.

Tropical storm force winds spreading into coastal areas by early Wednesday morning. Strongest winds likely east of Pensacola. Diminishing Wednesday evening.

The chance of hurricane force winds exist east of Navarre, during the day on Wednesday. This will be track dependent and the storm would need to move closer to Okaloosa County to realize hurricane conditions.

Rainfall of 6" to 10", with isolated higher amounts are possible across Walton County.

Shelter Reminder
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.

 

[Kurt]

 

[luckylady]

Wow - great photos.

 

[Teresa]

Schools Closed Due to Hurricane Michael

All Walton County Schools will remain closed through Thursday, October 11th, 2018. This includes any school activities. For more information regarding your individual school, please check their websites.

The school district will make an announcement by 3:00 PM on Thursday about schools being opened or closed on Friday, October 12th, 2018.

To receive storm information specific to our area, always follow trusted media outlets such as:

South Walton Fire District
Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.
Walton County Emergency Management

 

[ThirtyAGal]

Please, all you who live down there, be safe. You have my prayers and I will be watching. Daddio and Teresa, stay safe. I will be particularly looking at Kurt's pictures after the storm and I appreciate those as I did after Hurricane Ivan. Do not stay in the area just for that. Please leave the area to protect your family. The same for Smiling Joe. God bless all of you and I hope for the best. If you need our help after the storm, we can come from TN to help. We just left there on Sat. from our annual vacay, for two weeks. You all mean so much to me. Let me know if we can help rebuild or clean up. Praying for your safety.

 

[Ohio Girl]

Does anyone know how the dune lakes react to storm surge? Do they overflow?

 

[Will B]

They overfill and, then, turn around a drain in a normal fashion. Depending on how bad it is, there can be lots of debris that gets pushed into the lakes...

 

[Kurt]

Hurricane Michael Strengthens to a Category 4 Storm – Mandatory Evacuation Order Remains – Second Shelter Opened in DeFuniak Springs

As of the 10:15pm update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Michael has now become a Category 4 Hurricane and is continuing to gain strength.

Current forecasts have Michael making landfall as a STRONG Category 4 storm with devastating and life threatening impacts.

Walton County has opened a second general population and special needs shelter in DeFuniak Springs at Walton High School.

If you are in either evacuation zone A, B or C and you have not evacuated, Leave Now.

Evacuation Shelter Information

· General population, special needs and pets (cats and dogs only) is located at Freeport High School located at Freeport High School at 12615 Business Highway 331 in Freeport, FL.

· General population and special needs shelter open at Walton High School at 449 Walton Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL

· At this time, there are no traffic issues existing on the hurricane evacuation route in Walton County. Also at this time, there are no fuel shortages, but with the current forecast, that could change.

 

[Kurt]

Hurricane Michael Intermediate Advisory Number 15A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL142018
700 AM CDT Wed Oct 10 2018

...POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE MICHAEL HEADING TOWARD THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE...
...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE...HURRICANE FORCE WINDS...AND HEAVY
RAINFALL IMMINENT...


SUMMARY OF 700 AM CDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...29.0N 86.3W
ABOUT 90 MI...145 KM SW OF PANAMA CITY FLORIDA
ABOUT 90 MI...145 KM WSW OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 10 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...933 MB...27.55 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Okaloosa/Walton County Line Florida to Anclote River Florida

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Anclote River Florida to Anna Maria Island Florida, including
Tampa Bay

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Alabama/Florida border to Suwannee River Florida

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border
* Suwanee River Florida to Chassahowitzka Florida
* North of Fernandina Beach Florida to Surf City North Carolina

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Chassahowitzka to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
* Mississippi/Alabama border to the Mouth of the Pearl River
* Surf City North Carolina to Duck North Carolina
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline. For
a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather
Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at
hurricanes.gov.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the
coastline.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area.

Interests elsewhere across the southeastern United States should
monitor the progress of Michael.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Michael was located
near latitude 29.0 North, longitude 86.3 West. Michael is moving
toward the north near 13 mph (20 km/h). A turn toward the north-
northeast is expected later this morning, with a turn toward the
northeast expected this afternoon or tonight. A motion toward the
northeast at a faster forward speed is forecast on Thursday and
Friday. On the forecast track, the eye of Michael is expected to
move ashore over the Florida Panhandle later today, move
northeastward across the southeastern United States tonight and
Thursday, and then move off the Mid-Atlantic coast away from the
United States on Friday.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 145 mph
(230 km/h) with higher gusts. Michael is an extremely dangerous
category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Some additional strengthening is possible before landfall. After
landfall, Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern
United States.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185
miles (295 km). A wind gust to 56 mph (91 km/h) was recently
reported at Apalachicola Regional Airport.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on NOAA and Air Force
Reserve Hunter aircraft data is 933 mb (27.55 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water has the
potential to reach the following heights above ground if peak surge
occurs at the time of high tide...

Tyndall Air Force Base FL to Aucilla River FL...9-14 ft
Okaloosa/Walton County Line FL to Tyndall Air Force Base FL...6-9 ft
Aucilla River FL to Cedar Key FL...6-9 ft
Cedar Key FL to Chassahowitzka FL...4-6 ft
Chassahowitzka to Anna Maria Island FL including Tampa Bay...2-4 ft

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are spreading onshore along the
U.S. Gulf Coast within the warning area, with hurricane conditions
spreading onshore later this morning within the hurricane warning
area. Hurricane conditions will also spread well inland across
portions of the Florida Panhandle, southeastern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia later today and tonight.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward within
the warning area along the southeast U.S. coast beginning tonight,
and are possible in the watch area by late Thursday and Thursday
night.

RAINFALL: Michael is expected to produce the following rainfall
amounts through Friday...

Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, southeast Alabama, and portions of
southwest and central Georgia...4 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum
amounts of 12 inches. This rainfall could lead to life-threatening
flash floods.

The remainder of Georgia, the Carolinas, and southern Virginia...3
to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. This
rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash floods.

Florida Peninsula, eastern Mid Atlantic, southern New England
coast...1-3 inches.

SURF: Swells generated by Michael will affect the coasts of the
eastern, northern, and western Gulf of Mexico during the next day
or so. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf
and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local
weather office.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes will be possible across parts of the
Florida Panhandle and the northern Florida Peninsula through this
afternoon. This risk will spread into parts of central and southern
Georgia and southern South Carolina this afternoon and tonight.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 1000 AM CDT.

 

[melscuba]

I'm trying to find an interactive storm surge map. I can only find one that I can't zoom in on. Do you guys know of one. I swear when we were house hunting I used one.

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