don't know about Atl but Bham was on northern edge only a dusting predicted south Al. Was to get 3-4-5" so Bham sent salt sand trucks south to be ready to help. But tricky weather moved in and Bang.
Wintery Weather in SoWal
- Thread starter James Bentwood
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We dream of moving to SoWal (or at least spending winters in SoWal in 2-3 years...)
We've been watching the winter storm predictions for days. Bham was totally in the middle of it. Not necessarily snow wise, but definitely winter storm conditions which means anything is possible, especially ice. SoWal was below the zone but still we knew we would be affected to a good extent.
I'm just upset about my many friends and family members in Bham put at such risk with millions of others on the roads! The stories about wrecks, traffic, people still in their cars or walking, kids spending the night in schools, widespread gridlock, cars abandoned all over town, people staying overnight in buildings and stores and hotel lobbies all over town, etc. Thankful my loved ones are safe and warm, but it took many hours of finding their ways home, some walking with small children!
Weather Information from the WZEP AM 1460 Weather Station and Newsdesk for Walton, Holmes, Washington Counties and the surrounding area. While we try to keep this list updated, you might want to click on the links above and check directly with the local agency to see the latest.
Also keep up to date through our website, http://www.wzep1460.com and click on the weather page or the storm page. You will find lots of links and local information. Keep it tuned to WZEP AM 1460 before, during and after the storm.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Website: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
All Florida road closures are available at www.fl511.com or by phone at 511
From the FHP: MOTORISTS URGED TO USE CAUTION IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS
Pensacola, Fla. – With a winter storm warning posted for portions of North Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol
urges motorists in affected areas to prepare for the possibility of adverse driving conditions. National Weather
Service forecasts show a severe cold front moving into Florida, bringing with it the possibility of freezing rain
and snow resulting in hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
The Patrol offers the following tips for driving in this type of weather conditions:
• Stay put. Avoid driving, if at all possible. The safest place to be is off the roads.
• Slow down. When roads are icy, vehicles don’t have the traction required to stop quickly.
• Stay alert. When the temperature is near freezing, the roadway may look wet when in fact ice is
forming.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses are more prone to freezing in these types of conditions.
• Don’t attempt to pass slower vehicles.
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Gently apply your brakes and accelerate at a slow speed.
• Be patient and courteous. Driving in adverse weather conditions can be stressful.
• Remember to dial *FHP (347) from your cell phone if you are on the road and need assistance.
Motorists are encouraged to monitor the changing weather conditions and adjust their driving as necessary. .
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through
excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through
the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and
titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit
www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter @FDHSMV. You can find us on Facebook, too.
General Area
Panhandle 2-1-1 services all citizens of Walton County as an information and referral database. This is active in several other counties too. The number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have a website that the community can reference if needed, https://211panhandlehelpline.communityos.org/cms/welcome.
Walton County Reports Walton County Sheriff’s Office & Emergency Management
For Emergency Management Information: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/index.aspx
Evacuation Routes: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=557
Citizen Hotlines: (850) 892-8392 or (850) 892-8394 Not active call 892-8111
From the Meeting Tuesday morning: There is a chance of ice as far down as the costal area and the temperatures will only get above freezing for a few hours Wednesday. Russell Beaty, with Walton County Emergency Management, told the Walton Commissioners the situation has changed and more of the area will likely get some type of ice accumulation. He said the Weather Service has a high confidence much of our area will be affected negatively due to ice on powerlines and trees. Beaty stressed that the weather will likely cause impacts that will continue through Thursday.
The Walton Commissioners declared a local state of emergency. The county’s non emergency personnel will be closed through noon Thursday. The temperature is expected to rise midday on Thursday. Judge Kelvin Wells said the Constitutional Officers are in agreement with the closings.
Wilmer Stafford with Walton County Public Works said they have sand in the trucks and will be working in coordination with the FDOT. Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson said they will coordinate with the county and the deputies will check roads. If you have questions or want to report an issue, call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office regular non-emergency numbers at 892-8111 or 267-2000. If you life or property is threatened, call 911.
Okaloosa County
Evacuation Route:
http://webgis.co.okaloosa.fl.us/website/PublicSafety/downloads/maps/Evacuation_route8x11.pdf
Up-to-Date Emergency County Advisories: http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/cc_news.html
Emergency Contact Information: http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_ps_emergency_phone.html
Shelter Information: http://webgis.co.okaloosa.fl.us/website/PublicSafety/shelters.htm
Citizen’s Information Line: 311
Other Areas and Military
Walton County expects to receive moisture and precipitation that may continue through Wednesday evening, January 29th. During this time, our area expects temperatures that will drop to below freezing and there will be a strong potential for ice, freezing rain, snow, sleet or a combination of conditions.
Currently, local weather models have our area transitioning from rain to freezing rain or snow beginning in the late afternoon/early evening hours of Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday morning. Beginning Tuesday evening, we have a potential for wind in the range of 15 – 20 mph and temperatures falling into the teens and lower 20s with the wind chill. Temperatures will remain in the 30s throughout Wednesday. The minimum temperatures will remain in the low to mid-20s through Thursday morning.
With freezing and icy conditions, there is a strong potential for ice to develop on roads, bridges, trees and additional higher elevation areas. Currently the primary concern for our area includes icy roads and freezing rain that could affect trees and power lines. As with any winter storm that includes freezing temperatures, power outages are possible.
The Walton County Department of Emergency Management and Public Works will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and will provide updates as they become available.
Based on information received from the School System, Walton County Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. We encourage the public to continue to monitor their local news and weather stations for weather updates and other potential closings or delays.
If at all possible, it is always advised to stay off the roadways during these conditions. If you must travel, the following precautions have been issued:
Also keep up to date through our website, http://www.wzep1460.com and click on the weather page or the storm page. You will find lots of links and local information. Keep it tuned to WZEP AM 1460 before, during and after the storm.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Website: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
All Florida road closures are available at www.fl511.com or by phone at 511
- The WCSO reports that all roads north of I-10 to the Alabama State Line are closed. Only those with emergencies will be allowed to travel.
- At this time, the Clyde Wells Bridge in Walton County is closed. DOT is working on putting sand down.
- I-10 is closed in sections. Including all of I-10 W from MM 70 to Pensacola.
- Various roads are closed due to downed trees.
- Chipley – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is providing an update on road and bridge closures and restrictions in Northwest Florida due to wintery weather conditions.
- Bay County
- U.S. 98, Hathaway Bridge closed to all traffic.
- State Road 79, West Bay Bridge closed to all traffic.
- U.S. 98, Hathaway Bridge closed to all traffic.
- Escambia County
- State Road 292 (Barrancas Avenue), Bayou Chico Bridge closed to all traffic.
- County Road 97A, Boggy Creek Bridge closed to all traffic. Residents should seek alternate routes.
- State Road 292, Theo Baars Bridge closed to all traffic.
- U.S. 98, Pensacola Bay Bridge closed to all traffic.
- State Road 292 (Barrancas Avenue), Bayou Chico Bridge closed to all traffic.
- Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, and Gadsden Counties:
- State Road 85 at Antioch Road is closed.
- State Road 293, Mid-Bay Bridge is closed.
- U.S. 98, Brooks Bridge closed to all traffic.
- I-10 closed between Mile Marker 152 (State Road 69), Jackson County east to Mile Marker 192 (U.S. 90), Gadsden County.
- I-10 closed between Mile Marker 7-Pine Forest Road (State Road 297), Escambia County east to Mile Marker 120-State Road 77, Washington County. Traffic being detoured to U.S. 90.
- State Road 85 at Antioch Road is closed.
- Jackson County
- I-10 closed at Chipola River Bridge (Mile Marker 140), just west of State Road 71.
- Liberty County
- · State Road 20, Apalachicola River Bridge is closed.
- Walton County
- State Road 83 (U.S. 331), Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge/Clyde B. Wells Bridge closed to all traffic.
- Weather conditions continue to deteriorate creating hazardous road conditions. FDOT encourages residents to stay indoors and avoid venturing out unless it is an emergency. Motorists are reminded to be watchful of other drivers and road conditions and to be on the lookout for iced roads. The combination of moisture and freezing temperatures are ideal to form patches of ice on roads. Drivers should remain alert and drive with care. Drivers are reminded to use caution and drive at a reduced speed during this time. Drivers may call Florida 511 from their mobile phones. Additionally, updates will be provided as conditions develop at the following:www.FL511.com; @myfdot_nwfl; d3sunguide.com.
From the FHP: MOTORISTS URGED TO USE CAUTION IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS
Pensacola, Fla. – With a winter storm warning posted for portions of North Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol
urges motorists in affected areas to prepare for the possibility of adverse driving conditions. National Weather
Service forecasts show a severe cold front moving into Florida, bringing with it the possibility of freezing rain
and snow resulting in hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
The Patrol offers the following tips for driving in this type of weather conditions:
• Stay put. Avoid driving, if at all possible. The safest place to be is off the roads.
• Slow down. When roads are icy, vehicles don’t have the traction required to stop quickly.
• Stay alert. When the temperature is near freezing, the roadway may look wet when in fact ice is
forming.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses are more prone to freezing in these types of conditions.
• Don’t attempt to pass slower vehicles.
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Gently apply your brakes and accelerate at a slow speed.
• Be patient and courteous. Driving in adverse weather conditions can be stressful.
• Remember to dial *FHP (347) from your cell phone if you are on the road and need assistance.
Motorists are encouraged to monitor the changing weather conditions and adjust their driving as necessary. .
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through
excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through
the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and
titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit
www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter @FDHSMV. You can find us on Facebook, too.
General Area
Panhandle 2-1-1 services all citizens of Walton County as an information and referral database. This is active in several other counties too. The number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have a website that the community can reference if needed, https://211panhandlehelpline.communityos.org/cms/welcome.
- Boys & Girls Clubs closed to match schools
- The Goodwill Career Center in DeFuniak Springs will be closed Wednesday.
- Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union will be closed Wednesday and plans to resume operations Thursday morning.
- All locations and all offices of Northwest Florida State College are closed on Wednesday, January 29th. All classes have been cancelled. No faculty, staff or students should report to campus. All classes will resume and all locations and offices will be open as scheduled on Thursday, January 30th. Updates will be made available through www.nwfsc.edu and the colleges social media outlets- Facebook and Twitter.
- Due to severe weather conditions predicted for the western Panhandle, the Northwest Florida Water Management District will close all District offices on Wednesday. Offices are currently scheduled to re-open Thursday morning. At this time, the District’s Regional Water Supply Plan Public Workshop will be held as originally scheduled in Panama City.
- Holmes County Schools closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Walton County Reports Walton County Sheriff’s Office & Emergency Management
For Emergency Management Information: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/index.aspx
Evacuation Routes: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=557
Citizen Hotlines: (850) 892-8392 or (850) 892-8394 Not active call 892-8111
- Walton Schools closed Wednesday
- Walton Area Chamber of Commerce Gala rescheduled for Tuesday, February 4th. 267-0683.
- Galilean Academy closed Wednesday.
- City of DeFuniak Springs non-emergency services closed until 12 pm on Thursday. Wednesday’s garbage will run on Thursday afternoon or Friday, depending on conditions.
- Walton County non-emergency services, courthouse, Constitutional Officers, Health Department and others are closed through noon Thursday.
- Freeport City Hall will be closed until Thursday at 12 pm.
- The WCSO reports that the Clyde Wells Bridge is Closed. They will be watching conditions and alerting the public if anything changes.
- The City of Paxton has declared a State of Emergency.
- Crisis Pregnancy Center in DFS is closed and will reopen normal hours Thursday.
- The Cold Weather Shelter will be open in DeFuniak Springs at the Community Center on Wednesday night. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. A meal will be served for those staying the night. The shelter is available for anyone without adequate heat.
- Garbage Service:
- Waste Management: Waste Management service has been changed. The following schedule below will be followed. Commercial service – North and South Walton County - Wednesday (1/29) service will be provided on Thursday (1/30). Residential Service – North Walton County - Wednesday (1/29) service will be provided on Friday (1/31) South Walton County – Wednesday (1/29) service will resume on 2nd service day, Saturday (2/1)
- DeFuniak Springs: Due to the threat of impending winter weather please notate the following schedule changes. Wednesday and Thursday's trash will be picked up on Thursday beginning at noon. Any of Thursday's route that isn't completed will be picked up on Friday. Also please note that Pat Covell Park 2 located at 400 Vann Ave. and Lake Stanley Park located at 271 Shoemaker Dr. will be closed until Thursday at noon. We apologize for any inconvenience and should you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Dept. at 892-8534.
- Waste Management: Waste Management service has been changed. The following schedule below will be followed. Commercial service – North and South Walton County - Wednesday (1/29) service will be provided on Thursday (1/30). Residential Service – North Walton County - Wednesday (1/29) service will be provided on Friday (1/31) South Walton County – Wednesday (1/29) service will resume on 2nd service day, Saturday (2/1)
From the Meeting Tuesday morning: There is a chance of ice as far down as the costal area and the temperatures will only get above freezing for a few hours Wednesday. Russell Beaty, with Walton County Emergency Management, told the Walton Commissioners the situation has changed and more of the area will likely get some type of ice accumulation. He said the Weather Service has a high confidence much of our area will be affected negatively due to ice on powerlines and trees. Beaty stressed that the weather will likely cause impacts that will continue through Thursday.
The Walton Commissioners declared a local state of emergency. The county’s non emergency personnel will be closed through noon Thursday. The temperature is expected to rise midday on Thursday. Judge Kelvin Wells said the Constitutional Officers are in agreement with the closings.
Wilmer Stafford with Walton County Public Works said they have sand in the trucks and will be working in coordination with the FDOT. Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson said they will coordinate with the county and the deputies will check roads. If you have questions or want to report an issue, call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office regular non-emergency numbers at 892-8111 or 267-2000. If you life or property is threatened, call 911.
Okaloosa County
Evacuation Route:
http://webgis.co.okaloosa.fl.us/website/PublicSafety/downloads/maps/Evacuation_route8x11.pdf
Up-to-Date Emergency County Advisories: http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/cc_news.html
Emergency Contact Information: http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_ps_emergency_phone.html
Shelter Information: http://webgis.co.okaloosa.fl.us/website/PublicSafety/shelters.htm
Citizen’s Information Line: 311
- Okaloosa Schools closed Wednesday.
Other Areas and Military
- We were told (unconfirmed) that Eglin and JACC VA clinics are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Due to anticipated inclement weather, the Installation Commander has ordered that non-mission critical military and civilian personnel be released at 2 p.m. today. As of this message, Eglin will reopen for normal business at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 29. All military and civilian personnel should report for duty at noon Wednesday or at the start of their normally scheduled duty period thereafter.
Walton County expects to receive moisture and precipitation that may continue through Wednesday evening, January 29th. During this time, our area expects temperatures that will drop to below freezing and there will be a strong potential for ice, freezing rain, snow, sleet or a combination of conditions.
Currently, local weather models have our area transitioning from rain to freezing rain or snow beginning in the late afternoon/early evening hours of Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday morning. Beginning Tuesday evening, we have a potential for wind in the range of 15 – 20 mph and temperatures falling into the teens and lower 20s with the wind chill. Temperatures will remain in the 30s throughout Wednesday. The minimum temperatures will remain in the low to mid-20s through Thursday morning.
With freezing and icy conditions, there is a strong potential for ice to develop on roads, bridges, trees and additional higher elevation areas. Currently the primary concern for our area includes icy roads and freezing rain that could affect trees and power lines. As with any winter storm that includes freezing temperatures, power outages are possible.
The Walton County Department of Emergency Management and Public Works will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and will provide updates as they become available.
Based on information received from the School System, Walton County Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. We encourage the public to continue to monitor their local news and weather stations for weather updates and other potential closings or delays.
If at all possible, it is always advised to stay off the roadways during these conditions. If you must travel, the following precautions have been issued:
- Due to possible icy road conditions, please proceed with extreme caution when traveling. Special attention should be paid to bridges and other higher elevation areas. Bridges can ice over before the adjacent roadways and this condition will affect wooden bridges before paved bridges due to the moisture already present in the wood.
- Be cautious of black ice conditions as it can be hard to recognize ice on newly paved blacktop surfaces.
- Residents are encouraged to not run sprinklers onto roadways during this time; as doing so may present a locally icy hazard condition for drivers. In addition, where possible, it is advised that residents winterize all outside water spigots with additional information to keep them from freezing.
Walton County Schools closed Thursday.
Phillips Inlet Bridge
I understand that the Phillips Inlet Bridge is closed. Does anyone know if they have baracades up or if I can just kind of sneak by? I really need to get through.
I understand that the Phillips Inlet Bridge is closed. Does anyone know if they have baracades up or if I can just kind of sneak by? I really need to get through.
last I heard, they are not letting people drive through. People are walking to get back to Sowal.