Hurricane Sally

Sally is expected to become a Hurricane Monday afternoon after the center has moved past us to Louisiana.

For SoWal, expect at the least, steady SE winds of 20-30 mph and higher gusts. Heavy rainfall, but totals could vary greatly depending on slight movement of Sally north or south, and whether we are lucky to be in between major training bands.

***TROPICAL STORM SALLY CLOSURE UPDATES AS OF 7:45PM 9/13/2020***

Per the Walton County School District (WCSD) "all Walton County Schools [are closed] for tomorrow, Monday, September 14th, as we anticipate unsafe travel conditions, especially for our school buses. Closures include both students and employees." Please direct school closure specific questions to the WCSD.

Per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP) the following parks are partially closed effective immediately. They will reopen when safe to do so. Please direct all State Park questions to FLDEP.

Big Lagoon State Park
Cayo Costa State Park
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park
St. Andrews State Park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

*TROPICAL STORM SALLY UPDATE*
Monday Sept 14

Rain and windy conditions move in today.
Biggest threat for our forecast area remains the flooding rain threat.

If you are in an area prone to flooding you should ensure you have a plan.

Remain alert and watch for roads that maybe washed out or flooded if driving.

Continue to monitor this system.

Walton County Emergency Management
Sept 14

As of the 11:00 am CT NHC special advisory Tropical Storm (TS) Sally was upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and is moving WNW at 7 mph. The track has shifted significantly to the east since our previous update yesterday afternoon. Portions of North Walton County are now back into the 3-day error cone.

We would like to reiterate that you should not focus on the track or cone as impacts will occur well outside these areas.

Conditions within Walton County will deteriorate as the day goes on.

Please avoid traveling if you are able.

Our impacts are dependent of the exact track and intensity of Sally.

Potential Impacts
• Potential for major flooding rain. Widespread rainfall of 5-7" with localized areas seeing up to 12".
• A Moderate chance for excessive rainfall. Numerous flash floods are likely. Flooding events with significant events possible. Many streams may flood, potentially affecting large rivers.
• Flash Flooding is possible.
• Storm surge of 2-3 feet and minor coastal flooding is possible.
• Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
• High surf, dangerous rip currents, and beach erosion are expected for the next several days.
Watches, Warnings, Advisories
• Tropical Storm Warning in Walton County for Freeport south to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Flash Flood Watch for Walton County is in effect until 7:00pm CT tonight, September 14, 2020.
• High Surf Advisory for Coastal Walton County is in effect until Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
Protective Actions
• Sandbag Stations are Open
o Blue Mountain Beach At the District 5 Road Department on County Road 83
o Miramar Beach at the TDC vacant lot property located on Driftwood Road just north of Scenic Gulf Dr.
o Santa Rosa Beach on Bay Drive( CR 83N) just north of Hwy 98 on east side of road
o Bayloop Road 1/4 mile north of Red Barn Road on East side of Bayloop Road.
• South Walton Beaches are under DOUBLE RED Flags.
o DOUBLE RED: Water closed to public
• All Walton County Schools are canceled for today, Monday, September 14th. Closures include both students and employees.
• State Parks are partially closed effective immediately. They will reopen when safe to do so. Parks include:
o Big Lagoon State Park
o Cayo Costa State Park
o Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
o Grayton Beach State Park
o Henderson Beach State Park
o St. Andrews State Park
o Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
• A Local State of Emergency is declared for Hurricane Sally.
• No evacuation orders have been issued

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs until November 30. Be sure to Have a Plan, Build a Kit, and Be Informed.

To sign up for emergency and weather notifications go to www.alertwalton.org.

Know Your Zone. Know Your Home. To locate you evacuation zone visit www.waltoncountyem.org.
WCEM will provide another update after the 4:00 pm NHC advisory is released.

I keep looking at the NHC maps, and keep walking outside, and wondering what's up? We should be getting 35 MPH winds and it should be raining like crazy, but it's just holding off.

SWFD 9/14/20

Hurricane Sally FAQ
SWFD will continue to monitor Hurricane Sally and provide you with current information as we receive it.

We ask that you also continue to track Sally and ensure you and your family have a plan in the event conditions change.

As key partners of the Walton County Joint Information Center (JIC) here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers relating to this storm that have been put together for your awareness.

As always, only receive and follow reliable media weather outlets.

I keep looking at the NHC maps, and keep walking outside, and wondering what's up? We should be getting 35 MPH winds and it should be raining like crazy, but it's just holding off.

Aren't you in a fairly sheltered area? Walk out to an open area and watch for flying debris.

There has barely been a 15 mph breeze all day. All the maps make it look like we are about to get 35+. I guess I'm just impatient.

Walton County Now Under Tropical Storm Warning
Sept 15
SWFD

During the continuation of the Walton County Board of County Commissioner's Emergency Meeting held this morning, September 15, 2020, the Walton County BCC has taken the following actions:
• Walton County EOC has been activated to a Level 1.
• Walton County Governmental Offices, scheduled public meetings and transit operations will be closed on Wednesday, September 16th.
• Walton County will issue a voluntary evacuation order for Zone A and low lying areas along the Shoal River, Choctawhatchee River and all tributaries within Walton County beginning at 5:00pm
• Walton County will be opening a shelter this afternoon at Freeport High School beginning at 5:00pm. Freeport High School is located at 12615 US Hwy 331 Business in Freeport. Anyone who plans to go to the shelter should bring their disaster supply kits with them and be prepared to be self-sufficient.
• Walton County schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 16.
• Walton County will be activating the Citizen Information Center beginning at 1:00pm at 850-892-8392.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for all of Walton County. In addition, based on the current track of Hurricane Sally, life threatening flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding is possible with this storm. At this time, 15” to 20” of rainfall is expected for our area through Thursday.

Possibility of isolated tornadoes exists in Walton County through Wednesday. Currently, potential storm surge for Hurricane Sally in Walton County expected to be between 2' to 3'.

As the storm continues to evolve, changes in potential track of Hurricane Sally is possible.
The Walton County BCC will reconvene their meeting tomorrow afternoon, September 16 at 1:30pm at the Walton County Emergency Operations Center located at 75 South Davis Lane in DeFuniak Springs. At that time, the BCC will decide if any additional actions will be taken.
To find your evacuation zone, please visit: https://bit.ly/2E3lnyC

Walton County has 4 sandbag locations with bags and sand available. Please take a shovel just in case.
SW Locations
• Blue Mountain Beach At the District 5 Road Department on County Road 83
• Miramar Beach at the TDC vacant lot property located on Driftwood Road just north of Scenic Gulf Dr.
• Santa Rosa Beach on Bay Drive (CR 83N) just north of Hwy 98 on east side of road
Freeport
• Just West of City Hall going towards the Swimming Pool

Now is the time to act. Please make sure that you have the following prepared:
Disaster Supply Kit - Disaster Supply Kit | Walton County, FL - Home Page
Know your Family Plan - Making a Family Plan | Walton County, FL - Home Page
Register for Emergency Alerts – http://www.alertwalton.org

WALTON COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES
The following roads are closed as of 6:00 amWednesday, September 16, due to flooding from Hurricane Sally.

◼️ North Walton:
Boy Scout Road (North of Boy Scout Camp)
W Indian Creek Ranch (at the bridge)
Sherwood Road (at Red Hill Bridge)

◼️ Central Walton:
Co Highway 3280 from Altman Road to Fluffy Landing Road
Red Barn Road (400 Block)
Bay Grove Road (500 Block)
Johns Lane (100 Block)
J W Hollington Road (off State Highway 20)
S Jackson St (off Hwy 20)
Clipper Cove (off Hwy 20)
Jolly Bay Road (at HWY 331 S)
Cowford Road (off HWY 20)
State Highway 81 (right before HWY 20)

◼️ South Walton West of 331 S:
Cessna Park (off Co Highway 393)
Hogtown Bayou Lane ( off Co Highway 393)
S Church Street (Entire Road)
J D Miller Road (Entire Road)
Chat Holly Road (from Hwy 331 to Co Rd 393)
Indian Woman Road (Entire Road)
Cypress Pond (1000 Block)
Norwood Drive (100 Block)
Marlin Street (between Trigger Fish and Blue Fish)
Driftwood Court (off Driftwood Point Rd)
N Lake Point Drive (off Shore Dr.)
Shore drive (off Forest Shore Dr.)
S Geronimo Street (near Arnett Lane)
Old Blue Mountain Road at HWY 98 (turn lane under water)
Commercial Parkway (off Goldsby Rd)
S Holiday Road (off HWY 98)
Duffy Lane (off S Church St)
Windancer Lane (off Norwood Dr.)
Crest Drive (at N Geronimo)
E Nursery Road (in area of Nellie Drive)
1000 block of N Church Street (off Co Highway 393)
Whisper Lane (off N Church St)
Deal Circle (off Whisper Lane)
North side of Shipwreck Road at Driftwood Point
E Hewett Road (off Hwy 98)
S County Hwy 393 (at Cypress Pond)
Seascape Drive (off Scenic Gulf)
Colt Road (Off Chat Holley)
Bay Circle Drive (at E Hewett Rd)
Long Leaf Circle (at E Hewett Rd)
Moll Drive (off St Rita Lane)
W Harborview Rd (completely submerged)

◼️ South Walton East of 331 S:
Wood Beach Drive (off N Greenwood Ave)
E Point Washington Road (off Co highway 395)
W Forest Lake Drive (at entrance to Watercolor)
Shannon Drive (at Lakewood Drive)
Beachfront Trail (at Lakewood Drive)
Lakewood Drive (at Beachfront Trail)
East CO Highway 30a (at Buds Lane)
2600 block of East Co Highway 30A (at Watercolor)
2800 block of East Co Highway 30a (at Seagrove)
N Andalusia Ave (off E CO Highway 30A)
Walton County Road Closures (Hurricane Sally)

www.SoWal.com/live - some cams may be down from power outages.

CEFCO at 393 has gas. South 393 from 98 to the ridge is impassable.

SWFD

Sally continues to track away from our area, we may still feel some of the impacts. More rain is anticipated and that could add to the localized flooding.

As a reminder, if you encounter flooded roadways -"Turn Around Don’t Drown".

•Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road (The road may have collapsed under that water).
•A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.
•It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars.
•It takes just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
•It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
#swfdsafetytips #turnarounddontdrown

CEFCO at 393 has gas. South 393 from 98 to the ridge is impassable.

Impassable from flooding or debris?

Impassable from flooding or debris?

Flooding

Flooding

Hearing BMB beach at access S.83 gone?
Anyone seen this or have pics?