Katrina - official notices and info

[Kurt]

8/31/2005

Host Shelter open in DeFuniak Springs - Walton County refuge for Hurricane Katrina evacuees

A Red Cross "Host Shelter" for Hurricane Katrina evacuees opened in DeFuniak Springs on Wednesday, August 31. The shelter is located in the DeFuniak Springs National Guard Armory on North 9th Street. Capacity of this shelter is about 200 people.

The American Red Cross has advised that the previously published hotline number (866) GET-HELP has been overwhelmed by calls requesting information on families in the storm-affected area. The Red Cross will be providing direct assistance to disaster clients in reaching their families as those clients are sheltered. The (866) GET-HELP number will no longer provide welfare inquiry assistance. In the event there is a medical or mental health emergency and someone in the impacted area needs to be located or contacted, families here in Walton County should contact the Crestview branch of the American Red Cross, (850) 682-3356.

The American Red Cross of Northwest Florida is the primary agency for Emergency Support Function 6 (Mass Care) and Emergency Support Function 15 (Volunteers and Donations) in our Emergency Management network.

Local residents who want to help people in the area affected by the storm are encouraged to visit www.volunteerflorida.org on-line, or call (800) FL HELP (354-3571). Cash donations to the various organizations that are already set up to provide assistance will be the most effective means of helping the most people. This is because of the difficulty in getting foods, clothing, blankets, and other relief materials into the affected area.

Residents who want to help the evacuees who have reached our area, particularly those staying in the host shelter, are encouraged to make contributions of clothing, blankets, etc. to Caring and Sharing of Walton County. They are located at 1122 State Highway 83 in DeFuniak Springs, phone 892-7656. The Red Cross will be distributing vouchers to evacuees that may be used at Caring and Sharing for their needs while in the shelter.

Contact: Ted Brown, American Red Cross, Crestview Office, (850) 682-3356

Ken Little
Public Information Officer
312 College Avenue, Unit B
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
tel: (850)892-8530 fax: (850)892-8539
litken@co.walton.fl.us
www.co.walton.fl.us

 

[Kurt]

Walton County Citizen Services as well as the TDC are working to ease
visitor's concerns by providing the following tips:
- Carpool with family and friends if possible
- Fuel up prior to entering South Walton County
- Practice fuel conservation (choose restaurants, shopping and amenities
that are close to your accommodations; walk or bike to these locations)

Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 2:18 PM
Subject: Limited Gas signs

Media Advisory

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has set-up three (3)
Variable Message Boards (VMBs) on westbound I-10 to alert motorists that
fuel supplies are limited in the panhandle area. The VMBs are sited on
westbound I-10 just west of I-75 exit; westbound I-10 just west of US 19
exit; and westbound I-10 just west of US 90 exit. The wording
reads"Limited supplies of fuel available west of Tallahassee"

Tommie Speights, District Three Public Information Director
tommie.speights@dot.state.fl.us [e-mail]
P O Box 607
Chipley, FL 32428
(888) 638-0250, ext. 208 [toll-free]

 

[Kurt]

Hurricane Katrina Update #3

Now that waves have receded the TDC staff was able to access the beach,
and provided the following damage assessment for the beach and dune
system in Walton County. Overall, the beaches faired well. As
mentioned previously, this is not surprising considering our distance
from landfall and the relatively small storm surge and onshore wave
heights. It appears that little "new" bluff or dune erosion has
occurred, and up to one foot of sand may have been gained along the toe
of dune in many areas. The reason for this lack of erosion is due to a
variety of factors, most importantly, the size of the storm. The storm
surge was minimal (approximately 3 feet) and the associated wave height
was restricted by the lack of storm surge. Another factor that offered
protection to our beach and dune systems were the assisted recovery
efforts that took place, including beach scraping by the county and
truck hauling by individuals.

Beach erosion appears to be somewhat intermittent. While all beach
areas appear to be narrower post-storm, elevation losses are mostly
apparent where peat outcroppings exist. There is more exposed peat
along Walton County beaches than has ever existed in the past. Some
areas in Seagrove and Seacrest are impassable due to the extensive
erosion around those features. The peat outcroppings appear so dramatic
because they are much more resilient to wave energy and do not erode as
quickly as our sand areas. Therefore, they stick up out of the sand and
are more than two feet higher than the surrounding beach in some areas.
We will monitor the beach over the coming weeks to see how much sand
returns naturally to cover these deposits. We anticipate some natural
nourishment but believe that they will not be covered completely without
a beach restoration project.

Overall, we were EXTREMELY lucky. Our beaches suffered minor erosion
with some areas showing more dramatic losses when peat was uncovered.
Our dune systems sustained minor erosion and almost no new dune or bluff
was lost. We expect to continue beach scraping next week with the goal
of reconstructing emergency protection at the toe of the dunes.
Boardwalk repairs will resume next week as well.