Walton County Emergency Management
Monday Oct 8
As of the 4am advisory Walton County was placed under a Hurricane Watch and a Storm Surge Watch. These mean that means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher), and potentially life-threatening surge are possible within the specified area. Both are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of those hazards.
Now is the time to ensure that you, your family, and your business are prepared. Have a disaster supply kit with at least 72 hours worth of supplies, have a plan of what you are a way to be notified of conditions and protective actions, and a plan for how you will respond.
To receive updates on Watches and Warnings sign up for AlertWalton at www.alertwalton.org, have a NOAA weather radio, and/or monitor local media and social media. A frequently asked questions sheet will be pinned to the top of our Facebook page throughout the event. It will be updated as new information is made available.
If you suspect a business of price gouging please call the Florida Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
Walton County EM will continue to monitor this system and provide twice daily updates. Should you have any questions please email wcem@waltoncountyem.org or send us a message here on Facebook. A detailed situational awareness update is below.
Tropical Storm Michael:
• As of 8 AM EDT Monday, Tropical Storm Michael was located about 120 miles east of Cozumel, Mexico, or about 630 miles south of Panama City, FL, in the Yucatan Channel.
• Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph and Michael is moving north at 7 mph.
• Michael is expected to become a hurricane later this morning and is forecast to continue strengthening up until landfall. Landfall is currently forecast as a Category 2 with 110 mph, but a Category 3 is possible given the recent rapid intensification.
• Michael will continue to accelerate northward over the next 48 hours before making a turn towards the north-northeast or northeast as it makes landfall.
• Landfall is expected in the Panhandle or Big Bend sometime on Wednesday, and there remains some discrepancy in forward speed. A faster storm will make landfall on the western side of the forecast cone, where a slower storm will make more of a northeast turn into the Big Bend.
• Hurricane hunters will be investigating the system later this morning and again this evening.
Florida Outlook:
• Much of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend remain within the cone of error for landfall potential.
• An increase in swells and rip current risks from Michael are already present and wave heights will continue to increase through Thursday morning.
• Tropical storm conditions may arrive in the Panhandle as soon as Tuesday morning but no later than late Wednesday morning.
• Hurricane Watches are in effect for 18 Panhandle and Big Bend counties between Pensacola and Cross City including Walton County. These may be upgraded to warnings later today.
• Storm surge will be one of the greatest impacts from this storm and may affect a large portion of the Florida Gulf Coast. Storm Surge Watches have been issued between Navarre (Okaloosa County) and Anna Maria Island (Manatee County) for possible surge inundation of 2-4’ for the Tampa Bay region and western Panhandle, 4-7’ for the eastern Panhandle coast, and 7-11’ for Apalachee Bay and Nature Coast.
• Widespread rainfall totals of 4-8” with locally higher amounts of 8-10+” can be expected across the Panhandle and Big Bend, with most of it occurring on Wednesday.
• Isolated tornadoes will be possible Tuesday-Thursday, but risk and where will depend on eventual track and intensity of the system (northeast quadrant relative to forward motion).
• Ocean swells from Tropical Storm Leslie and breezy onshore winds from high pressure to the north of Florida will continue producing a moderate to high risk of rip currents along all Atlantic beaches.
Walton County Information:
• Walton County is currently in the 3-day error cone
• Walton County is under a Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch
• Walton County EOC moving to Level 2 Activation at 0900
• Walton County BCC Emergency Meeting at 1130 broadcast over Walton County EM Facebook Page
• Walton County Departments initiating hurricane response plans
• Twice daily conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center
• Twice Daily conference calls with the National Weather Service Tallahassee
• Twice daily updates to the Walton County EOC team
• Proactive social media messaging
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide12,177 views1
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ThirtyAGalThirtyAGalBeach LoverTennessee200 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
ThirtyAGalBeach LoverTennessee200 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverKurt, what is the latest on the land/buildings down there? I pray you and your family are safe. When it is safe I look forward to seeing them. Take of yourself, Teresa, your son and your fur baby.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminI'm trying to find an interactive storm surge map. I can only find one that I can't zoom in on. Do you guys know of one. I swear when we were house hunting I used one.NHC site has one. I was watching it and it only showed a couple of feet in the Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay and river mouth.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminKurt, what is the latest on the land/buildings down there? I pray you and your family are safe. When it is safe I look forward to seeing them. Take of yourself, Teresa, your son and your fur baby.Thank you all is fine here we are very lucky
stone packardstone packardBeach Loverniceville59 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
stone packardBeach Loverniceville59 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverDid South Walton escape the destruction caused by Michael? Haven't seen any pictures or reports of damage from Walton county.
Jimmy TJimmy TBeach Fanatic934 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Jimmy TBeach Fanatic934 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticDid South Walton escape the destruction caused by Michael? Haven't seen any pictures or reports of damage from Walton county.South Walton is in very good shape compared to our neighbors east of us.
Jim TuckerJim TuckerBeach Fanatic1,277 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Jim TuckerBeach Fanatic1,277 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticDid South Walton escape the destruction caused by Michael? Haven't seen any pictures or reports of damage from Walton county.Scroll up a few posts.
Contact:
Megan R. Harrison
President and CEO
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce
850-267-0683
ceo@waltonareachamber.com
Road Closures – Governmental Offices and Schools – Power Outages – Volunteers and Donation Sites
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walton County, Fla. October 11, 2018 – Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon. Walton County Emergency Management Operations Center has led response efforts since activation on Monday, October 8. The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce has staffed Emergency Support Function (ESF 18): Business & Industry post during the Emergency Operations Center activation. As neighbors and friends, we are prepared to offer support to those who need it. Our thoughts and prayers are with our sister counties to the east of Walton County.
The following information is the most recent available regarding road closures, governmental office and school, power outages, volunteering, donations and drop off sites.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Clyde B. Wells (Hwy 331) Bridge is open and there are no curfews for Walton County.
Florida Highway Patrol has closed sections of I-10 for debris clean up. Eastbound lanes are closed from mile marker 85 in DeFuniak Springs to mile marker 160 past Sneads, FL. Westbound lanes are closed from mile marker 123 just east of Chipley to mile marker 160 just east of Sneads.
To see a full list of Walton County road closures, visit.
GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES
All government and county offices will be closed on Friday, October 12th. Walton County Schools will be closed Friday, October 12thand re-open Tuesday, October 16.
POWER OUTAGES
Power companies like Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Gulf Power Company are working diligently to restore power. However, Walton and surrounding counties are still experiencing power outages. At this time, Gulf Power has 2,146 power outages in Walton County. CHELCO has 14,000 power outages.
If you see power lines down or road blockages in Walton County please report it to Walton County Sheriff's Office at (850) 892-8111. For motorists on the roadways, treat every intersection with a non-working traffic light as a four-way stop.
VOLUNTEERING
If you would like to volunteer with Michael’s recovery efforts, please visit https://www.volunteerflorida.org/ and fill out the volunteer form Hurricane Michael Volunteer Database Registration Survey .
You can also call Volunteer Florida at 1-800-FLHELP1 (354-3571).
Please know that teams are still working to assess damage in the areas affected the greatest by Hurricane Michael. We ask that you be patient in waiting for responses for how you may be able to help.
DONATIONS AND DROP OFF SITES
We would like to urge our citizens to keep their hurricane supplies. Below is a list of items needed:
If you would like to donate hurricane relief items please drop them off during normal business hours at one of the following locations:
If your business has resources available that you would like to share, please email esf18@co.walton.fl.us and we will distribute the information appropriately.
Megan R. Harrison
President and CEO
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce
850-267-0683
ceo@waltonareachamber.com
Road Closures – Governmental Offices and Schools – Power Outages – Volunteers and Donation Sites
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walton County, Fla. October 11, 2018 – Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon. Walton County Emergency Management Operations Center has led response efforts since activation on Monday, October 8. The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce has staffed Emergency Support Function (ESF 18): Business & Industry post during the Emergency Operations Center activation. As neighbors and friends, we are prepared to offer support to those who need it. Our thoughts and prayers are with our sister counties to the east of Walton County.
The following information is the most recent available regarding road closures, governmental office and school, power outages, volunteering, donations and drop off sites.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Clyde B. Wells (Hwy 331) Bridge is open and there are no curfews for Walton County.
Florida Highway Patrol has closed sections of I-10 for debris clean up. Eastbound lanes are closed from mile marker 85 in DeFuniak Springs to mile marker 160 past Sneads, FL. Westbound lanes are closed from mile marker 123 just east of Chipley to mile marker 160 just east of Sneads.
To see a full list of Walton County road closures, visit.
GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES
All government and county offices will be closed on Friday, October 12th. Walton County Schools will be closed Friday, October 12thand re-open Tuesday, October 16.
POWER OUTAGES
Power companies like Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Gulf Power Company are working diligently to restore power. However, Walton and surrounding counties are still experiencing power outages. At this time, Gulf Power has 2,146 power outages in Walton County. CHELCO has 14,000 power outages.
If you see power lines down or road blockages in Walton County please report it to Walton County Sheriff's Office at (850) 892-8111. For motorists on the roadways, treat every intersection with a non-working traffic light as a four-way stop.
VOLUNTEERING
If you would like to volunteer with Michael’s recovery efforts, please visit https://www.volunteerflorida.org/ and fill out the volunteer form Hurricane Michael Volunteer Database Registration Survey .
You can also call Volunteer Florida at 1-800-FLHELP1 (354-3571).
Please know that teams are still working to assess damage in the areas affected the greatest by Hurricane Michael. We ask that you be patient in waiting for responses for how you may be able to help.
DONATIONS AND DROP OFF SITES
We would like to urge our citizens to keep their hurricane supplies. Below is a list of items needed:
- Cash is the best donation at this time
- Florida Disaster Fund: The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
- To make a one time donation of $10, text the word DISASTER to 20222 and a one-time donation of $10.00 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.
- To make a one time donation of $25, text the word DISASTER25 to 20222 and a one-time donation of $25.00 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.
- Florida Disaster Fund: The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
- Batteries
- Cleaning Supplies
- Paper Goods
- Hygiene items and Toiletries (diapers, wipes, pads, tampons, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)
If you would like to donate hurricane relief items please drop them off during normal business hours at one of the following locations:
- DeFuniak Springs: Southern Choice Properties (917 US HWY 331 S, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435), M-F 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- DeFuniak Springs: Matrix COC (37 State Highway 83), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Santa Rosa Beach: Walton Area Chamber Office (63 S. Centre Trail Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
If your business has resources available that you would like to share, please email esf18@co.walton.fl.us and we will distribute the information appropriately.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminFEMA ASSISTANCE
To apply for FEMA assistance visit: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585. To find the nearest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
If you need emergency help call 9-1-1.
BASIC SUPPLIES
If you need supplies, such as food, water, or ice, please contact your county emergency management at: http://www.floridadisaste r.org/fl_county_em.asp or by phone at (850) 815-4001 for the location of the nearest distribution center. Your county emergency management can provide up-to-date information about shelters and local distribution centers for food and supplies.
HELP FOR SENIORS
If you know of a senior who needs assistance call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs hotline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). To report elder abuse, call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
HELP FOR VETERANS
Veterans in need of assistance or in need of their medication can contact the Veteran Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571 or go to any VA medical facility for assistance.
MENTAL HEALTH
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. You may also visit: http://bit.ly/2vH2Huc for more information about managing stress after a disaster and talking with children about traumatic events.
DIALYSIS
To find a dialysis center in your area visit: http://www.dialysisunits.com/. Patients of DaVita Dialysis may contact 1-800-400-8331 to find the nearest Dialysis Center.
MORTGAGE RELIEF
To find out if you qualify for temporary mortgage relief, visit the Freddie Mac website at: http://www.freddiem ac.com/about/hurricane-relief.html , the Fannie Mae website at: http://www .fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/hurricane-relief.html or by phone at 1-800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643). To contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency visit: https://www.fhfa.gov/Homeownersbuyer/MortgageA ssist ance/ Pages /Disa ster-Assistance.aspx
You may also contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find out if you qualify for any hurricane related help with your mortgage or mortgage insurance. To contact HUD about disaster assistance visit: https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft or https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121
TAX RELIEF
Taxpayers in affected areas may be eligible for tax relief from the IRS. To learn more about IRS assistance visit: https://ww w.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.
DISASTER RECOVERY LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing various disaster loans to qualifying Floridians. For more information about SBA disaster loans visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-ass istance/. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides loans to qualifying individuals, businesses, and communities after disasters. For more information visit: https://www.usda.gov/topics/d isaster/storms, or contact the USDA office in Florida at: (352) 338-3400.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Floridians who are unemployed as a result of a disaster, and who are ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance, are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the U.S. Department of Labor. For additional information about DUA visit: https://workfo rcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp or contact the U.S. Department of Labor by phone at 1-866-487-2365.
HURRICANE RESPONSE HIRING
The U.S. Small Business Administration is hiring a variety of temporary positions located throughout areas affected by recent disasters. For more information visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/hurrican e-res ponse -jobs -sba< /a>. For FEMA hiring visit: https://careers.fema.gov/hur ricane-workforce.
FEMA ASSISTANCE
For in-person assistance with storm related questions, visit your local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. For a list of centers in your area visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585.
Be aware of SCAMS: Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money, and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, or the State of Florida. If you suspect fraud call FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or the Florida Attorney General fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
RESOURCES
Emergency Assistance 9-1-1
Local resources (food, shelter, childcare,) 2-1-1
Food, water, ice distribution https://www.floridadisaster.org/, 850-815-4001, TDD/TTY: 1-800-226-4329
County Emergency Management Offices https://www.floridadisaster.org /counties/
Shelters www.floridadisaster.org/sh elter-status/
Florida Highway Conditions: www.flhsmv.gov/f hp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html, or dial 5-1-1 or *FHP (347)
Florida Elder Affairs Hotline 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/
Veteran Disaster Hotline www.va.gov, 1-800-507-4571
Disaster Distress Helpline (for emotional distress) 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Blue Tarp Roofs (Army Corps of Engineers) 1-888-ROOF-BLU
FEMA www.disasterassistance.gov, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-745-0243
To apply for FEMA assistance visit: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585. To find the nearest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
If you need emergency help call 9-1-1.
BASIC SUPPLIES
If you need supplies, such as food, water, or ice, please contact your county emergency management at: http://www.floridadisaste r.org/fl_county_em.asp or by phone at (850) 815-4001 for the location of the nearest distribution center. Your county emergency management can provide up-to-date information about shelters and local distribution centers for food and supplies.
HELP FOR SENIORS
If you know of a senior who needs assistance call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs hotline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). To report elder abuse, call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
HELP FOR VETERANS
Veterans in need of assistance or in need of their medication can contact the Veteran Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571 or go to any VA medical facility for assistance.
MENTAL HEALTH
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. You may also visit: http://bit.ly/2vH2Huc for more information about managing stress after a disaster and talking with children about traumatic events.
DIALYSIS
To find a dialysis center in your area visit: http://www.dialysisunits.com/. Patients of DaVita Dialysis may contact 1-800-400-8331 to find the nearest Dialysis Center.
MORTGAGE RELIEF
To find out if you qualify for temporary mortgage relief, visit the Freddie Mac website at: http://www.freddiem ac.com/about/hurricane-relief.html , the Fannie Mae website at: http://www .fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/hurricane-relief.html or by phone at 1-800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643). To contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency visit: https://www.fhfa.gov/Homeownersbuyer/MortgageA ssist ance/ Pages /Disa ster-Assistance.aspx
You may also contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find out if you qualify for any hurricane related help with your mortgage or mortgage insurance. To contact HUD about disaster assistance visit: https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft or https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121
TAX RELIEF
Taxpayers in affected areas may be eligible for tax relief from the IRS. To learn more about IRS assistance visit: https://ww w.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.
DISASTER RECOVERY LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing various disaster loans to qualifying Floridians. For more information about SBA disaster loans visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-ass istance/. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides loans to qualifying individuals, businesses, and communities after disasters. For more information visit: https://www.usda.gov/topics/d isaster/storms, or contact the USDA office in Florida at: (352) 338-3400.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Floridians who are unemployed as a result of a disaster, and who are ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance, are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the U.S. Department of Labor. For additional information about DUA visit: https://workfo rcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp or contact the U.S. Department of Labor by phone at 1-866-487-2365.
HURRICANE RESPONSE HIRING
The U.S. Small Business Administration is hiring a variety of temporary positions located throughout areas affected by recent disasters. For more information visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/hurrican e-res ponse -jobs -sba< /a>. For FEMA hiring visit: https://careers.fema.gov/hur ricane-workforce.
FEMA ASSISTANCE
For in-person assistance with storm related questions, visit your local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. For a list of centers in your area visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585.
Be aware of SCAMS: Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money, and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, or the State of Florida. If you suspect fraud call FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or the Florida Attorney General fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
RESOURCES
Emergency Assistance 9-1-1
Local resources (food, shelter, childcare,) 2-1-1
Food, water, ice distribution https://www.floridadisaster.org/, 850-815-4001, TDD/TTY: 1-800-226-4329
County Emergency Management Offices https://www.floridadisaster.org /counties/
Shelters www.floridadisaster.org/sh elter-status/
Florida Highway Conditions: www.flhsmv.gov/f hp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html, or dial 5-1-1 or *FHP (347)
Florida Elder Affairs Hotline 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/
Veteran Disaster Hotline www.va.gov, 1-800-507-4571
Disaster Distress Helpline (for emotional distress) 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Blue Tarp Roofs (Army Corps of Engineers) 1-888-ROOF-BLU
FEMA www.disasterassistance.gov, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-745-0243
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminBlast from the past - I was looking at Google maps for satellite images of the marina where the new Hotel Indigo is about to open and Harrison's Restaurant adjacent and saw this...
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