kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.




The following closures have been announced:

· Walton County Head Start program will close at 1 pm, Friday, July 8. The Walton County Summer Recreation program is closed until further notice.

· Walton County public beaches will be closed at 3 pm, on Friday to remove TDC beach services and prepare for the storm.

· All county offices and facilities will close on Friday, July 08, 2005 at 1 pm and will remain closed through Monday, July 11.

A mandatory evacuation of guests in the low lying areas, including those in RV parks or mobile home parks south of Highway 20 will begin at 12 pm on Friday. A mandatory evacuation for residents living south of Highway 20 will begin at 4 pm Friday. Everyone is reminded the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge will be closed when sustained winds reach 40 m.p.h. When the bridge is closed to traffic there will be no means of leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa counties also close their bridges to thru traffic.



Freeport High School on U.S. 331 north of Freeport will be the nearest shelter for those evacuating. The Shelter will open at 4 pm. Persons evacuating should be aware that:



· Animals are not accepted at the shelters.

· People with special needs should bring a three day supply all their medicines, water and food, including special foods. They should also bring a list of their medical conditions and contact names and numbers for doctors, home health agency serving them, and an emergency contact.

· Red Cross cots will be the only available beds.



Remember the shelter is not a hospital or a clinic and should be used by those with medical conditions that have no other evacuation options. There will be no doctor, acute care nurses, specialty care nurses or caretakers at the shelter. Those who need assistance with activities of daily living must bring a caregiver as necessary for 24 hour care, because there will not be staff available to meet those needs.



Those reporting to the shelter should bring the following items:

• ID
• Sleeping bag or bedding
• Special dietary items
• Flashlight, change of clothing, rain gear
• Infant needs, toys for children
• Personal snacks
• A good book
• Alcohol is not allowed in the shelters.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to events as they occur in connection with this storm. Emergency calls should be made to 911, all other calls can be directed to 892-8392 or 892-8394. Residents and visitors should stay tuned to local media for current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis.

kurt

Walton County Landfill will close at 4 pm on Friday and will not reopen until after Monday.

All garbage pickup will be suspended until after Monday as well.

GVM

Kurt:
Is there a time by which residents must be gone...or is it strictly a function of when winds reach 40MPH?

kurt

I'm sure the official line is leave ASAP, mandatory beginning at 4PM today. But the bridge won't close until the winds on the bridge reach 40 mph. Check the traffic sticky for additional evac details. Remember that bridges to the east and west will close also, leaving no escape.

It's important for people to leave ASAP, so emergency personnel have free roads and access to facilities to batten down the hatches.

Smiling JOe

I wanted everyone to see the latest Release by Walton County. This statement corrects my previous post, listing four shelters.
**********************************
NOTE: Only one Storm Shelter in Walton County.
**********************************

7/8/2005 2:50 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This 1 page Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency
Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.
The only shelter planned at this time in Walton County for Hurricane Dennis will be at the
Freeport High School. The school is located north of Freeport on Highway 331. This shelter will
open at 4 pm on Friday, July 8, 2005.
The EOC has no plans to open a shelter in south Walton.
End of release
For more information, contact: Ken Little, Public Information Officer
Sara Comander, Public Information coordinator
Walton County Emergency Operations Center
75 S. Davis Lane, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Public Information Phone and Fax: ( 850) 892-8680 litken@co.walton.fl.us
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
EOC Phone (850) 892-8065 Fax 892-4093

__________________

kurt

HURRICANE DENNIS NEWS RELEASE #6
Saturday, July 09, 2005 7:30 A.M.

An important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.
The Walton County Emergency Operations Center is activated to coordinate storm preparations and recovery efforts for Hurricane Dennis. Walton County is currently under a Hurricane Warning and a Flood Watch.
The following closures are in effect:
* The Walton County Head Start program and the Walton County Summer Recreation Program.
* All Walton County beaches are closed.
* All county offices and facilities are closed and will remain closed through Monday, July 11.
* The Walton County Landfill is closed though Monday and there will be no garbage pickup this weekend.

A mandatory evacuation order is now in effort for south Walton and south of Highway 20. A voluntary evacuation order has been issued for those living in low lying areas, RV parks and mobile homes for the remainder of Walton County. All persons in those areas are strongly encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible.

The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge will be closed when sustained winds reach 40 m.p.h. When the bridge is closed to traffic there will be no means of leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa counties also close their bridges to thru traffic. It is suspected that Tropical Storm Force winds will reach Walton County by 3 am on Sunday if Hurricane Dennis remains on its present projected course and speed.

Freeport High School on US 331 north of Freeport is open as a General Population and Special Needs Shelter. Persons evacuating should be aware that:
* Animals are not accepted at the shelters, except for service animals.
* People with special needs should bring a three day supply of all their medicines, water and food, including special foods. You should also bring a list of their medical conditions and contact names and numbers for doctors, home health agency serving them, and an emergency contact.

Remember the shelter is not a hospital or clinic and should be used by those with medical conditions that have no other evacuation options. There will be no doctor, acute care nurses, specialty care nurses or caretakers at the shelter. Those who need assistance with activities of daily living must bring a caregiver as necessary for 24 hour care, because there will not be staff available to meet those needs.

Those reporting to the shelter should bring the following items:
* ID
* Sleeping bag or bedding
* Special dietary items (3 day supply)
* Flashlight, change of clothing, rain gear
* Infant needs, toys for children
* Personal snacks
* A good book
* Alcohol is not allowed in the shelters.

Evacuating residents are requested to turn off electricity, water and gas to their homes if possible when leaving. In event of severe storm damage, this could alleviate further difficulties in clean up and recovery operations and aid the electric companies in restoring power.

Residents are also advised there is a shortage of gas in some areas of the county. It is strongly recommended automobiles have a full tank of gas.

Residents choosing not to evacuate should review their disaster kits, stock up on non perishable food items, water, ice and cash, battery operated radio and extra batteries, non electric can opener and a first aid kit. You need to be prepared to be self-sustaining for 3 to 5 days. Those who choose to remain are advised at a certain point before the main storm hits land, emergency response personnel will be unable to assist them.

Citizens may call the Emergency Operations Center Information lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Residents should stay tuned to local media for current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is being posed to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

dusty

When they say the beaches are closed, what happens if someone walks on the beach? Do they issue tickets? Or is it a "at your own risk" kind of thing?

Smiling JOe

When the beaches are closed, the Sheriff's Deputies can write tickets, but right now, they have better things to do, which I doubt would include hanging out at Hwy 98/283 and Hwy 98/395.

__________________

kurt

HURRICANE DENNIS NEWS RELEASE #7

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

Update from the EOC:
* The Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast is closed. The Destin Urgent Care Center on Highway 98 will close at 7 pm on Saturday. Healthmark Regional Medical Center located on Highway 331 in DeFuniak Springs will remain open.
* A general population refuge will open at Okaloosa Walton College, Building Two (2) on Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs at noon on Saturday, July 09, 2005. This is not a certified hurricane shelter and is not manned by the Red Cross.
* Court hearings and trials scheduled for Monday, July 11th in the First Judicial Circuit, which includes Walton County, have been postponed until further notice.
* Walton County Animal Control will cease picking up animals at 4 pm on Saturday.
* Alcoholic beverages and liquor sales in Walton County will be suspended at 10 pm on Saturday.
* All non-emergency operations will cease when the winds reach 35 m.p.h. and all emergency operations, including fire, EMS and animal control will be suspended when the winds reach 45 m.p.h.
The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8304. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

Smiling JOe

More importantly, when will the suspension of such sales of be lifted?

Since the Hospital is closed, if you need immediate emergency care, I have a tad bit of training, bottle of vodka, and some bandage wraps.

__________________

kurt

From NHC:

A STORM SURGE OF 10 TO 12 FEET IS POSSIBLE NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER OF DENNIS CROSSES THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST ON SUNDAY.

DENNIS IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO
8 INCHES ACROSS THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE...SOUTHERN ALABAMA...AND SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. ISOLATED TOTALS NEAR 12 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE NEAR WHERE DENNIS MAKES LANDFALL ALONG THE GULF COAST.

kurt

Good thing we're not relying on http://www.co.walton.fl.us


They're down just like during Ivan and they talked a lot afterward about not letting that happen again.


This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

The Tri-Village Fire Department that serves the Choctaw Beach area has relocated to the Freeport Fire station until after Hurricane Dennis passes through our area.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Citizens are reminded 911 is for emergency calls only. Do not call 911 to report power outages, roadway blockage or other storm damage. Call the Citizens Information Lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394.

Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

rbryan

Kurt, maybe the county should hire you to run their site...I talked to them after Ivan and they assured my they'd be using some of our tax dollars to keep the site up and provide info to property owners during the storm. Looks like that didn't happen.

kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson advises all school board offices and schools will be closed on Monday, July 11, 2005

The regularly monthly meeting of the Walton County School Board scheduled for Monday has been cancelled.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Citizens are reminded 911 is for emergency calls only. Do not call 911 to report power outages, roadway blockage or other storm damage. Call the Citizens Information Lines at 892-8392 or 892-8394.

Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and developments on Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton
County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of
Walton County.

The following roads are closed in Walton County: Scenic Gulf Drive to
the Okaloosa County line, 30A at Oyster Lake and Fort Panic. Thompson
Road across from Bryan Road, Raley Road is closed at the pavement and
Bell Drive is closed off Caswell.

The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge is still closed at this time, however
residents of south Walton will be given access on Monday, if they have a
photo ID with their address.

The Walton County Landfill will open at 8 am on Monday and trash pickup
will resume in DeFuniak Springs. Waste Management will be at 70%
capacity on Monday and 100% on Tuesday. Storm related vegetative debris
pickup is pending and will be announced as soon as possible.

Residents returning to their homes are reminded to check for storm
related damage. Report any damage to the Citizens Information Lines at
892-8394 or 892-8392. People living in low lying areas should be aware
of the potential for flooding and should use extreme caution.

Due to a loss of pressure in a portion of South Walton Utilities water
system a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for that
portion of the water system located south of Scenic Gulf Drive. All
water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled. A rolling boil of
one minute is sufficient. This "precautionary boil water notice" will
remain in effect until the problem is been corrected and a
bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information call Matthew Coleman at the Walton County Health
Department at 850-892-8031.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens
at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911.
Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and
developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also
being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton
County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of
Walton County.

Public Works and Engineering
Damage assessment teams from the county and the TDC will continue
assessing damage on Monday.
Residents returning to their homes are reminded to check for storm
related damage. Report any damage to the Citizens Information Lines at
892-8394 or 892-8392. People living in low lying areas should be aware
of the potential for flooding and should use extreme caution.

Power
Chelco and Gulf Power are also assessing damage and restoring power to
the remaining areas that are without power. People using generators
during the storm are reminded they should not be wired directly into
their homes, this could result in damage to the power lines and the
workmen.

Roads and Bridges
The following roads are closed in Walton County: Scenic Gulf Drive to
the Okaloosa County line, 30A at Oyster Lake and Fort Panic, and Bell
Drive is closed off Caswell.
The I-10 bridge is closed in Pensacola.
The Choctawhatchee Bay bridge is to residents of south Walton, and a
photo ID with a address will be needed before entry is allowed.


Emergency Services
All emergency services are operational and animal control complaints
will be handled after 8 am on Monday.

Food and Water
Distribution sites for food, water and ice are pending the results of
assessments.

Health and Medical
Due to a loss of pressure in a portion of South Walton Utilities water
system a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for that
portion of the water system located south of Scenic Gulf Drive. All
water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled. A rolling boil of
one minute is sufficient. This "precautionary boil water notice" will
remain in effect until the problem is been corrected and a
bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information call Matthew Coleman at the Walton County Health
Department at 850-892-8031.

Price Gouging Hotline
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a
request that residents report price gouging to 1-800-435-7352.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens
at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911.
Residents should stay tuned to local media or current news and
developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also
being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.

GraytonBound

KURT- can we get across the bridge with our condo owners insurance policy? Of course it shows a Tennessee address but proves we're property owners

kurt

Bridge is now open to all traffic.

kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency

Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

UPDATE:

Curfews and Restrictions

The county-wide curfew has been lifted and the alcohol sale and consumption ban has been lifted.

County Offices

All county offices including the Walton County Courthouse, South Walton Courthouse Annex, libraries and constitutional offices will be open on Tuesday.

School Board

The Walton County School Board office and school offices will open on Tuesday morning at 8 am. The workshop and meeting scheduled for Monday at 3:30 and 4:30 have been rescheduled for Tuesday at 3:30 and 4:30 pm. The School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 pm in the meeting room at the Tivoli Complex in DeFuniak Springs.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394.

JB

One of their press releases says 30-A is closed at Ft. Panic. This is an area that has very little dune protection (never really has, even before Ivan). I am guessing there was some significant wash-over there?

lollygal

Kurt -

Any problems coming in 331S to 98 and east to Rosemary Beach? DOT says 331 open to normal traffic. Just making sure we can get in later tonight.

Thanks!

JustBeachy

the alcohol sale and consumption ban has been lifted.

Oh boy..

kurt

This Press Release is an important message from the Walton County Emergency Operations Center and the Public Information Office of Walton County.

Food and Water
Ice and Water distribution sites are being set up at the following locations and will be open at 3 pm Monday, July 11, 2005.
* In Paxton at the Paxton Airport located at the intersection of County Road 147 West and 331 North.
* In DeFuniak Springs at the old Wal-Mart (Cowboys) on U. S. 331 South.
* In south Walton at the South Walton Courthouse Annex on U. S. 331 South.
* Freeport High School on US 31 South in Freeport
These sites are for water ice only and will remain open until power is restored area where they are located.

Roads and Bridges
The Clyde B. Wells Bridge over the Choctawhatchee Bay is open to all traffic.

Curfews and Restrictions
The county-wide curfew has been lifted and the alcohol sale and consumption ban has been lifted.

Beaches
All Walton County beaches are closed and double red flags are posted.

Red Cross
For help call 1-866-get-info (1-866-438-4636)

Organizations
The Council on Aging will resume serving meals at all meal sites home delivery service on Tuesday.

Hospitals
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast has reopened.
Health and Medical

The boil water notice for residents living south of Scenic Gulf Drive is still in effect.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911 only. Residents should stay tuned to local media for current news and developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us

sunsetDreamin

Will beach access be open in the next two weeks or so? We are coming on the 23d.

firepar1

I've read a few of these posts. Could anyone tell me if electric is on in Santa Rosa Beach area. We hope to come down there from this Thursday to next Saturday. Should we????????? What are the beaches like, pools, etc. Would appreciate your responses. Thank you

kurt

I will post beach access info after they have been evaluated.

sunsetDreamin

that was a stupid question :oops:
thanks

kurt

Hurricane Dennis News Release 23

Update
Food and Water
Ice and water distribution sites in Paxton and Freeport will be
discontinued at noon today, Tuesday, July 12th.
The distribution site in DeFuniak Springs will close at 7 pm today.
The site at the South Walton Courthouse Annex will remain open until
further notice.

The Council on Aging will resume serving meals at all meal site
locations and will make home delivery for "Meals on Wheels" customers
starting today.

Schools and Summer Programs
Tri County Head Start Summer Program resumes at the OWC Chautauqua
Center today.
The Walton County Summer Recreation Program will resume at all sites on
Wednesday, July 13, 2005.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will hold office hours in DeFuniak Springs on
Friday, July 15 from 9 to 10:30 am at the Walton County Courthouse, 571
Highway 90 East in DeFuniak Springs.

The Emergency Operations Center is responding to inquiries from citizens
at 892-8392 or 892-8394. Emergency calls should be made to 911 only.
Residents should stay tuned to local media for current news and
developments on the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Information is also
being posted to the Walton County web site at www.co.walton.fl.us.
To report power outages:
Gulf Power: 1-800-GU-POWER (487-6937)
Chelco: 1-800 342-0990, locally 892-2111 or 892-506

kurt

CHELCO reports 985 outages remaining in south Walton County and 390 in north Walton County. The number of consumers out in South Walton has increased slightly as people who evacuated return home and report their power out. Members who still do not have power need to call in. The numbers to call are 800-342-0990 or 892-2111. CHELCO offices have reopened for regular business today.

Gulf Power reports Walton County outages at 7,697 as of Tuesday morning, July 12. This is considerably different from the 385 previously reported on this site. The difference was included in the Okaloosa County outages due to Gulf Power’s service areas. South Walton County is covered by the Fort Walton Beach area’s office. Customers in the Inlet Beach area are covered by the Panama City office. Northern parts of Walton County are the responsibility of the Crestview and DeFuniak Springs offices. All customers remaining without power are encouraged to report power outages to (800) GU-POWER (487-6937) if they have not already done so.

kurt

A brief update from the BCC Meeting last night. The Agenda Items were postponed to provide an Update on Hurricane Dennis.


EMERGENCY SERVICES

CHELCO and Gulf Power still working to get power to residents. Anticipate 3 weeks but should be less than that.

Scenic Gulf Drive is only road closed in the County.



TDC

Request to get Beach Survey and update Design products for Beach Re-nourishment.

Currently 11.3 miles of beach critically eroded after last storm and DEP will re-evaluate after this storm

The County won the Judgment to continue the Beach Re-nourishment but will have to file for eminent domain to obtain easements to cross private property on the 5 persons who opposed.



PLANNING

DEP has issued n Emergency Order Authorizing work to repair, replace, restore, and certain other measures made necessary by Hurricane Dennis.

Walton County Building Dept is open 7 am to 7 pm in both North and South Annex’s for Building Permits. Fees are waived for 120 days for damage from the Hurricane.

Walton County is trying to get DEP to collocate with them possibly in the SWA to issue permits needed.

Beach restoration via bringing in sand is authorized except scraping of sand per the permit currently. The Walton County BCC is requesting beach scraping of the DEP and possibly Gov Bush.

If bringing in sand on the beach a sample will need to be provided for approval prior to bringing in the sand. A request with the parcel ID number, address, description of work to be performed (i.e. restore dune w 50 cy of sand), and sample of sand.

Flood Insurance will need a letter from the County for claims just coordinate with Building Dept and they will inspect and issue a letter.



PUBLIC WORKS

Approved to do the following

Eastern Lake - shift the outfall back onto the County Easement

Oyster Lake - clear debris from the outfall

All Coastal Dune Lakes review for needed debris removal (Camp Creek Lake was mentioned and appears to be a log jam at the outfall)

sunsetdunes

-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Comander
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:52 AM
Subject: FW: Hurricane Dennis News Release 25 Please note correction

Correction: The beaches are reopening on Thursday, July 14, 2005


-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Comander
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:45 AM
Subject: Hurricane Dennis News Release 25

For Immediate Release

The Walton County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on
Thursday July 14, 2005 beginning at 11:00 AM at the South Walton
Courthouse Annex located at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach,
Florida.
The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the issue of sand
coloration on the beach.

The beaches are reopening on Thursday, July 14, 2005, but double red
flags are flying and water activities are prohibited until the water
clears.

Representatives from U. S. Senator Bill Nelson will hold office hours on
Friday, July 15, 2005 from 9 to 10:30 am at the Walton County
Courthouse, 571 Highway 90 East in DeFuniak Springs.

End of release



Sara Comander
Public Information Coordinator
Events Coordinator
312 College Avenue, Unit B
DeFuniak Springs, Fl 32435
(850) 892-8065, ext 262 (EOC)
Fax: (850) 892-8069 (EOC)
Email: comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Office phone: 850-892-8530

kurt

We have completed our assessment of beach damage due to Hurricane Dennis. All 56 dune walkovers are damaged and we’ve suffered severe beach erosion. Current estimates show we lost 1.5 – 2 million cubic yards of sand, which is comparable to 75,000-100,000 dump truck loads. We lost approximately 3-5 feet of beach in vertical erosion and the lost dune width up to 35 feet in some places. On-going dune erosion should be expected as the cliffs begin to form a gradual incline. The dunes become a blessing and a curse as they did their job in protecting the upland infrastructure but now are steep cliffs and limit visitor’s and resident’s ability to access the beach.

Our beaches are open effective 7 am, Thursday, July 14. A double red flag condition remains in effect to advise beachgoers to stay out of the water due to floating storm debris that may still be washing ashore. The beaches will re-open for swimming when conditions permit. The flag poles that advise on water conditions were destroyed by the storm, so we must advise beachgoers about beach conditions through other means including the local media and visiting http://www.swfd.org/.

WHAT NOW?
Access to the beach:

Since one of the biggest concerns is access to the beach, the TDC is approaching an existing contractor to expedite repairs to dune walkovers. Regional beach accesses will be repaired first. Repairs will be limited to stairs only. ADA ramps can not be repaired at this time due to the extensive vertical erosion, which prohibits construction. Miramar Beach Access will not be rebuilt until after the upcoming renourishment project slated to begin this fall.

In the meantime, we will be directing visitors and residents to accesses that do no require a walkover to reach the beach including Grayton, Ed Walline, Dune Allen, and Walton Lake Shore Drive at Eastern Lake.

We understand this is not an ideal scenario, however, living in a coastal community we must be prepared for the impacts of Mother Nature. We ask for your support in guiding visitors to appropriate beach accesses, while we work diligently to repair walkovers.

Repairing the Beach:
For individual restoration efforts, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued an emergency order regarding which repairs are permissible, which includes bringing in sand from inland quarries. A DEP field agent will be at the Walton County Planning office in the South Walton Annex this Thursday – Saturday (July 14-16) to answer specific questions. All projects require DEP and Walton County permits. For permits and additional questions, please contact the Walton County Planning Office at 850-267-1955.

The county met with FEMA and DEP to determine what restoration activities will be permitted on a county wide basis. Walton County has requested permission to conduct beach scrapping once beach levels begin to restore. At this time, it is not permissible.

Sand will be replaced along Scenic Gulf Drive to protect the road from future storms. The TDC continues to work with the state for the large scale renourishment project for a 4.8 mile stretch of critically-eroded beach in Western Walton County. Since Hurricane Ivan and recent storms, new DEP-recognized, critically eroded areas have been identified and the TDC continues to explore options for additional large scale renourishment projects throughout the county.

Debris Removal:

A debris contractor has been hired by the County to remove beach and roadside debris. Debris removal will begin at regional accesses and will then proceed from the west to the east end of the County. The contractor will be conducting three passes through Walton County beaches within 30 days.

dusty

Quote: Walton County has requested permission to conduct beach scrapping once beach levels begin to restore. At this time, it is not permissible.

Scraping: I thought this was part of the problem?

kurt

It depends on who you talk to.

kurt

Thursday, July 14, 2005

11:00 AM Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting

The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the issue of sand coloration on the beach.

South Walton Courthouse Annex, 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach - Dede Hinote, Administrative Assistant, 892-8155
Topic of discussion is relaxing the White Sand Ordinance Standards for Sand on the Beach.

JB

BIG mistake, IMO. There is nothing left to scrape.

katie blue

i obviously don't get it. how can you scrape hard pack and peat? would it not take years for the sand to replenish itself enough to scrape a dune together? one post just said the DEP says there's "no sand for dregding" ...again, could that be true, didnt it just go offshore just a bit?

what a crazy catch-22 this is. to save gulffront properties from falling, dredging & shoring up the dune may be the only short term option. but in the long run, these measures only seem to promote future erosion. i'd love to be party to an informed debate about this issue. i wonder if the county will be holding any symposiums.

kurt

The State reps are here now evaluating the beaches. The county wants to do as it did after Opal, which was to scoop sand from just beyond the water's edge, creating a 3 foot parallel trough and then taking that sand back to the dune line. In the following 24-72 hour period the trough filled back in and was scooped again several times.

kurt

The BCC just approved a variance in the white sand ordinance, allowing homeowners to bring in sand that is considerably less white than is normally allowed.

This sand is from intracoastal dredging and is about 1/3 the cost of white sand. There apparently is not enough white sand available for the large need.

Brad Pickel's recommendation was that all the white sand should be used first, rather than use the darker sand.

kurt

At the regular board meeting of the Walton County Commissioners on
Tuesday, July 12, 2005, the board approved a contract with Crowder-Gulf
to pickup trash and debris resulting from Hurricane Dennis. The contract
is for sixty days and started on July 12, 2005.

The debris pickup by Crowder-Gulf will be south of the Choctawhatchee
Bay and south of the intercoastal waterway. Four crews will be removing
debris. Two will work east to west and two will work west to east. They
will be picking up debris along county roads and private roads but
cannot enter private driveways.

The contractors can be identified by a white 2x2 sign on the driver's
side of the truck or trailer. The sign will be marked "CG" and a number.
A county truck will also be following the Crowder-Gulf vehicle.
Motorist and pedestrians are urged to use caution when approaching
and/or passing these vehicles.

The crews will make three passes down each road and the public will be
informed again before the second and third passes are made.

Residents living north of the bay can call Walton County Public Works at
892-8108 to have storm debris removed.

To facilitate the removal process residents must place piles of debris
next to the curb but away from electric poles and mailboxes. Trash
should be placed in three separate piles: One for limbs and debris from
trees, another for metal objects such as appliances and another for
shingles, carpet and other construction debris. Debris will be picked up
from along the side of roads only. The trucks cannot come on private
property or private driveways.

kurt

The DEP's Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems has developed the following table to provide property owners with a concise explanation of activities that are authorized seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL):

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/beaches/p...f/dhandout.pdf

Sea Turtle

Thank you for the info !

Do you have some names and numbers of firms that bring in sand? We need some fast! In another thread I saw someone may have called Sterling Building Specialist but I wasn't clear if they were engineers or sand sellers.

Thanks.


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__________________
Sea Tutrle

kurt

I don't have numbers but these guys will:

Building Permits and Construction - Billy Bearden, building official, (850) 892-8157, (866) 892-1955, beabilly@co.walton.fl.us

Planning & Development - Pat Blackshear, Director, (850) 267-1955, (866) 892-1955, blapat@co.walton.fl.us

dune 70

I posted and they are a building service contractor, managed by Silva's Consolidated Interest, Inc. The man we met with drew out plans and was very knowledgeable about sea walls (what we really need, but as yet Walton County will not allow), so I would imagine they are at least afflilated with engineers. He also told us exactly how much dune we had lost, we are still waiting our firm bid. Hope this is helpful.

__________________
"Life's A Beach"
Dune 70

kurt

Here's a status list of properties and agencies with contact info on the TDC site:

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/Post%20_Storm.asp

Note - if you see a "100%" operational", that doesn't necessarily mean everything is perfect. It is more likely to mean "we are renting 100% of our units". Contact properties directly to get the scoop.

For instance - one condo listed as 100% has 2 pools. One is fine and one is closed. And they have no direct beach access.

Cork On the Ocean

What a drag. Destin is already putting out beautiful white sand. I was teasing my friend that lives there that the reason we need to use dark sand is because Destin has hogged up all the white stuff. Have a call out to the Seacrest Beach assoc. to see if they've made a decision yet on what we're gonna be putting out there.

Will also check the Rosemary Walkway today. Should be nearly done.

kurt

The variance is for shoring up imperiled residential structures only. Hopefully that won't be expanded.

JB

Seems to me it should be just the opposite. Use the darker sand to shore up structures along the dune line, then come in with the white sand on top and for re-plenishment of the beach.

I would rather seem them do nothing than to change the color of the beaches.

kurt

I was unclear. There is a belief that at some point the availability of white sand would get tight. Brad wants them to use only white sand, and knows that if you let people use darker, cheaper sand they will use that instead. So he said it would be foolish to leave available white sand unused. He wanted people to continue using the white sand, and then if it became unavailable, bring in darker samples to get approved.

JB

*If* there was to be a full-scale dredging project, would this not provide whiter sand than sand taken from inland areas? Sugar-white, powdery beaches are the trademark of the west/central panhandle. It is no doubt among the prettiest beaches in the world. Anything and everything should be be done to to try and keep these beaches looking as they always have. IMO, it's the main allure of the area and what initally attracted people here in the early 20th century.

And again, why not use rip-rap to repair the especially vulnerable areas, then cover with white sand and sea oats on top of that? It would utilize much less sand, provide better stabilzation, and no one would be able to tell the difference once the project was completed.