Hurricane Isaac

[Lake View Too]

"We're giving her all she's got, Captain!"

[photocat2012]

That's news to me. If that's how they view it, it would be really nice if they would stick with the phrase voluntary evacuation, or recommended evacuation, or even strongly recommended. Mandatory takes away options.

Mandatory evacuations generally mean, don't expect help if you need it from emergency services (fire, police, rescue). I think this is reasonable as first responders already risk their lives in many circumstances under normal weather conditions for most of us. It is unfair for them to put their lives in further jeopardy under such circumstances. Unless you are arrested, I don't think there is any law on the book that can force you from your home.


sue

i.e. I think it is basically is a fancy way of saying "you are on your own!"

[30A Skunkape]

The lower portion of that ramp is covered in sand. Was it like that before, or did Isaac haul in a bunch of sand?

The majority of that sand was washed in this morning.

[Teresa]

Mandatory evacuations generally mean, don't expect help if you need it from emergency services (fire, police, rescue). I think this is reasonable as first responders already risk their lives in many circumstances under normal weather conditions for most of us. It is unfair for them to put their lives in further jeopardy under such circumstances. Unless you are arrested, I don't think there is any law on the book that can force you from your home.


sue

i.e. I think it is basically is a fancy way of saying "you are on your own!"

thanks! totally agree.

[Bob]

what does this mean?

seawall debris,geotubes,dark sand et al

[Bob]

Exactly! (although my sneakers did get a little damp this afternoon)

i believe you have a claim

[Teresa]

I love this photo taken today of Navarre Pier by Richard S., on NWF Daily News fb.

[Miss Kitty]

I am finding each and every place I can to send a prayer out to the good people of Louisiana. Never, ever underestimate the power of any storm.

[Teresa]

Al and Jim in Nola now just hanging out in the elements. I think they need a nap.

[Alicia Leonard]

Al and Jim in Nola now just hanging out in the elements. I think they need a nap.

Best pic of the storm yet. :)

[Teresa]

Just in from SWFD:

BEACH/SURF UPDATE:

Our beaches remain under Double Red Flag conditions and by order of the Sheriff and our county public safety leaders our beaches remain closed to people and vehicles. The beach closure will be revaluated by this group again at 8:30 tomorrow morning giving us time to assess the debris and any damage to ensure the safety of the public.

Please know we worked very hard to position yellow barrier tape on our beach walk overs in a way that anyone wishing to see the beach and the power of nature and our surf could get a good look. Please pay close attention to our warnings and help set an example to all that go to these walkovers to look.

Please know that with the current conditions of our beaches and surf it would be senseless to put our lifeguards and first responders in harms way.

We wish to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience and we will provide additional updates when the conditions are reassessed. Thank you!

[Teresa]

From NOAA Hurricane Center

Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana in the evening of August 28, 2012. During the day, NOAA's GOES-14 satellite took images of the storm at 1 minute intervals, showing the development of Isaac from a tropical storm to a hurricane in great temporal detail. The imagery is from the visible channel and runs from August 28 at 1008Z through August 29 at 0055Z.

[SoWal Staff]

Just added some photos from this morning. Can you spot the SoWal celebrity?

http://www.SoWal.com/video/hurricane...otos-and-video

[lenzoe]

[COLOR=#333333][FONT=arial]From NOAA Hurricane Center

Great video. Thanks.

[lenzoe]

Just in from SWFD:

BEACH/SURF UPDATE:

Please know we worked very hard to position yellow barrier tape on our beach walk overs in a way that anyone wishing to see the beach and the power of nature and our surf could get a good look.

Nice job on the tape.

[lenzoe]

Just added some photos from this morning. Can you spot the SoWal celebrity?

Do you mean the woman in the light blue tank/t-shirt doing the beach power walk?

[kurt]

Yes - Lynn Nesmith, 30A Style.

The Seagrove Beach Skycam has cleared up a bit, you can see the water is still rough but receding a bit. The wind is really buffeting the cam.

http://sowal.com/webcam/seagrove-beach-skycam

[Alicia Leonard]

Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR... CENTRAL WALTON COUNTY IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA...

* UNTIL 1000 AM CDT

* AT 927 AM CDT... A DEVELOPING TORNADO HAS BEEN DETECTED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 13 MILES SOUTH OF DE FUNIAK SPRINGS... OR NEAR PORTLAND... MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO NEW HOME... ROCK HILL... PLEASANT RIDGE... DE FUNIAK SPRING AIRPORT... ARGYLE AND ALPINE HEIGHTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! LEAVE MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES FOR SAFER STRUCTURES. MOVE TO A HALLWAY OR CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND OUTSIDE WALLS

[Marla Burns]

August 30, 2012

The Walton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to remind the public Walton County beaches (water, sand and accesses) remain closed at this time. Later today, the conditions will be re-evaluated and a decision will be made whether to re-open or stay closed.

There continues to be a coastal flood advisory, a high surf advisory, and a high rip current risk for South Walton County. There has also been a Tornado Warning issued for Central Walton County which ended at 10 a.m. Double Red Flags will continue to fly for the remainder of the day. Beach flag conditions can be monitored at www.swfd.org and on South Walton Fire Department’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire. Conditions can also be monitored at www.visitsouthwalton.com.

[lenzoe]

Mandatory evacuations generally mean, don't expect help if you need it from emergency services (fire, police, rescue). I think this is reasonable as first responders already risk their lives in many circumstances under normal weather conditions for most of us. It is unfair for them to put their lives in further jeopardy under such circumstances. Unless you are arrested, I don't think there is any law on the book that can force you from your home.


sue

i.e. I think it is basically is a fancy way of saying "you are on your own!"

Thank you for the explanation. I had no idea that's what it really meant so when I heard "mandatory evacuation" I took that at face value.

I'm perfectly fine with being on my own in cases like this, and I'll keep that in mind for next time.

The thing with hurricanes is that they are large and usually slow moving as they approach.

[Teresa]

EOC Brief #5
August 30, 2012

The Walton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has moved from a Level 2 Partial Activation to Level 3 Monitoring status. The EOC will continue to track weather conditions and all other impact from Tropical Storm Isaac. Walton County beaches (water, sand and accesses) remain closed at this time. A re-assessment will take place tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 31, 2012.

Before the beaches can be re-opened, several assessments have to take place:

• An environmental survey will assess any impact to coastal dune lakes.
• Residents and visitors should be aware that we are in the height of turtle nesting season and the storm has impacted the turtle population; therefore an assessment must be conducted under the Florida Fish & Wildlife guidelines.
• The Tourist Development Council (TDC) also has to assess the beaches and safety of accesses.

All of these steps are crucial to ensure public safety before allowing beaches to be open to the public.
There continues to be a coastal flood advisory, a high surf advisory, and a high rip current risk for South Walton County. Several tornado warnings were issued earlier in the day for the county, and the severe weather is expected to continue into the early evening hours. Double Red Flags will continue to fly for the remainder of the day. Beach flag conditions can be monitored at www.swfd.org and on South Walton Fire District’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire.

[Lake View Too]

I heard on the radio that a tornado touched down today northeast of Portland, 13 miles south of DeFuniak. Does anybody know if there was any damage?

[lenzoe]

EOC Brief #5
August 30, 2012
[...]
Before the beaches can be re-opened, several assessments have to take place:

• An environmental survey will assess any impact to coastal dune lakes.
• Residents and visitors should be aware that we are in the height of turtle nesting season and the storm has impacted the turtle population; therefore an assessment must be conducted under the Florida Fish & Wildlife guidelines.
• The Tourist Development Council (TDC) also has to assess the beaches and safety of accesses.

What is this all about?

[Teresa]

What is this all about?

The beaches remain closed until further notice.

[kurt]

From WZEP AM 1460
Visit our website for more at http://www.wzep1460.com
Located: 449, N. 12th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Mail: PO Box 627, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Station: 850-892-3158 wzep@wzep1460.com Fax: 850-892-9675
Sales: 850-892-5130 sales@wzep1460.com
News: Kevin Chilcutt, News Director Cell 850-333-1852

Isaac was heading directly to Walton County, but drifted to the west. Joe Preston, with Walton Emergency Management, said the county dodged the bullet as evidenced by what New Orleans is going through. He said a damage assessment is ongoing. Preston said they set politics aside and made decisions based on the safety of the citizens.


The TDC is working to open the beaches by this weekend. They are cleaning debris, putting signs back up and making sure the accesses are available and open. TDC Director Dawn Moliterno told commissioners, with the tide still high, they have not been able to get the trucks on the beach. She also said the South Walton Turtle Watch needs to do an assessment.


If you need permitting information to rebuild steps or accesses, you should call the Walton Building Department immediately. Basically you can rebuild damage, but can not replace. The Building Department will work quickly with the homeowners. Commissioner Brannon noted putting equipment on the beach, engineering and turtle nesting are all factors to be considered.


Walton Public Information says that in order to assist property owners in assessing their damage and the process on how they can move forward with repair and restoration of any damages to their property, Walton County is providing information that has been forwarded to them by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.


The information provided within this documentation does not eliminate the need for residents and property
owners to coordinate the obtaining of required permits from the Walton County Building Department. All
property owners who need to require a local county permit, or who may not be sure if they need to acquire a permit, should contact the Walton County Building Department at 850-892-8160 in Defuniak Springs, or 850-267-2084 for the location in the South Walton Annex. A direct link to the information is on the County’s website: http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/6495

[lenzoe]

The beaches remain closed until further notice.

Are there any known issues with public beach accesses? The ones I have seen on photos or the beach cams haven't been touched by the storm surge. Do you know of any that may have been undermined? This makes it sound like there's significant damage.

I'm particularly interested in the Pelayo Street access and the One Seagrove Place access, but if you know of any that have been damaged I'd be interested in hearing.

[kurt]

I believe the water has receded enough to get trucks out this morning. I will check on those.

I believe most accesses are OK and there is not much damage.

[lenzoe]

Thanks kurt.

[Arkiehawg]

Don't Worry Everything will be alright.....

[kurt]

Seagrove looks fine. Lots of seaweed. Kelp style.

[kurt]

Chris Webb of Sea Oats service in Rosemary Beach is setting up on the beach.

[kurt]

Saw TDC truck on the beach checking it out.

[beachma]

We took a long, early morning walk from our condo at Leeward to Deer Lake State Park. I know we don't have the trained eyes of a "local", but things look perfectly fine. No signs of damaged beach accesses, public or private. The beach seems to have more sand...Eastern Lake is completely closed back up. There is a lot of natural debris; seaweed, shells and pieces of jelly fish. We saw what looked like a strange, spikey fat fish washed up on shore. There is very little "trash"...nothing like any given day in June/July! It was awesome just to experience the natural beauty of the beach! There's a row of wooden beach chairs and umbrellas set up at Eastern Shores. I'm assuming the beaches are open, many beach walkers as well. Looking forward to spending our last few days on the beach!

[lenzoe]

Thanks. Also saw a double row of chairs on the Sandestin cam and a TDC truck driving by. What I can see looks fine.

[kurt]

Walton County beaches will remain closed this morning as damage assessment teams complete their work; however at noon, the sand and accesses will open to the public.

Double red flags will continue to fly due to high surf and rip current conditions. Double red flags mean the water is closed to the public. The public will be subject to ticketing and fines if the morning closure is disregarded.

Lifeguards will be setting up their towers and returning to the beaches today. Surf conditions will continue to be evaluated throughout the day. Beach flag conditions can be monitored at www.swfd.org and on South Walton Fire District’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire . Conditions can also be monitored at www.visitsouthwalton.com.


Beach vendors will be allowed to access the beach areas this morning for set up but they must be finished with setup and off the beach by noon.

[kurt]

Walton County beaches will remain closed this morning as damage assessment teams complete their work; however at noon, the sand and accesses will open to the public.

Double red flags will continue to fly due to high surf and rip current conditions. Double red flags mean the water is closed to the public. The public will be subject to ticketing and fines if the morning closure is disregarded.

Lifeguards will be setting up their towers and returning to the beaches today. Surf conditions will continue to be evaluated throughout the day. Beach flag conditions can be monitored at www.swfd.org and on South Walton Fire District’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/southwaltonfire . Conditions can also be monitored atwww.visitsouthwalton.com.


Beach vendors will be allowed to access the beach areas this morning for set up but they must be finished with setup and off the beach by noon.

[kurt]

Added some photos from this morning to
http://www.sowal.com/video/hurricane...otos-and-video

[Florida Fever]

Great pics! Amazing surf!!!

[kurt]

Great pics! Amazing surf!!!

Thanks. I love the beach no matter what.