Courtesy of the Walton Co. Sheriff’s Office:
Periodic periods of heavy rainfall being reported across coastal Walton County as Hurricane Ida makes its way eastward across Northwest, Florida.  At this time, no reports of damage or road closures due to the storm in Walton County.  Strong gusty winds have been reported along several locations of South Walton County Beaches.

If sustained winds reach 40 miles per hour or higher, the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on U.S. Highway 331 will be closed.  In that event, it would take a Florida Department of Transportation team to inspect the structure before it could be reopened.

MONDAY UPDATES
As Tropical Storm Ida approaches the Gulf Coast, Walton County Emergency Operation’s Center Director, Captain Mike Barker, would like to remind folks to stay off the roads if at all possible.  Heavy rainfall and possible flash floods will create extremely hazardous driving conditions.  Drivers are reminded not to go through standing bodies of water.  Without knowing the depth of the water, it does not take much to cause a vehicle to be washed off the roadway.

If sustained winds reach 40 miles per hour, the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on Highway 331 will be “closed” to vehicular traffic. If closed, the bridge must be examined by the state Department of Transportation before it can be reopened.  U.S. Highway 331 is the only north-south route in the county.

In addition, residents are urged not to leave their garbage cans near the roadway.  All outdoor lawn furniture and other objects need to be securely fastened down to keep them from becoming a hazard in the roadway.  It’s also advisable to keep pets indoors during the storm.

Captain Barker stresses that this is not a time to sightsee.  Folks are urged to stay indoors as much as possible until the storm passes.   

Severe Weather - Walton County
Last Updated: 11/10/09 - 11:19 AM

WMBB News Department

 RSS Feed

At seven o’clock this morning, the shelter and special needs shelter at Freeport High School will be closed as the severity of Tropical Storm Ida continues to decrease in intensity.

In addition, Walton County’s Emergency Operation’s Center will scale back to partial staff.  EOC Director, Captain Mike Barker, says “the Sheriff’s Office will monitor the weather picture as Ida continues to weaken and move eastward across the panhandle”.  Captain Barker advises residents particularly in low-lying areas’ to keep an eye on rising water levels along area rivers and creeks.

The national weather service and local officials will also monitor any possibility of rising river levels in coming days.
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It is now reported that Ft. Panic Road and C.R. 30A in the Santa Rosa Beach area has been reopened to vehicle traffic.  Motorists are urged to remain cautious as high water remains along the shoulder of the intersection, and driving conditions are slick.

School Closures: 
Walton School District Superintendent Anderson announced at 10:00 a.m. today, that Walton County Schools will not close early today (Monday, November 9th).  However, due to expected severe rain, flooding and high winds Tuesday (November 10th), schools will be closed. 

Walton County Emergency Operations Center Director, Captain Mike Barker, wants to advise those with disabilities who are unable to get to the “Special Needs Shelter” to contact our EOC Office.  These residents can contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Public Assistance line at 892-8392, or 892-8394. 

The Special Needs and General Shelter will be at Freeport High School’s Gymnasium.  It will open at two o’clock this afternoon.  For information on special needs and qualifications can contact the Walton County Health Department at 892-8015. 

For those looking for information on transportation to the Special Needs’ Shelter should contact 892-8065.   

Many schools planned Veteran’s Day programs for Tuesday, November 10th.  These programs will be cancelled due to school closings.

Wednesday (November 11th) is Veteran’s Day and all schools will be closed for this holiday, as well. 

South Walton Monesory and Seaside Neighborhood School will also be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Freeport Middle School’s boy’s basketball and Freeport High School basketball games are cancelled.

Northwest Florida State College will be closed Tuesday. The college will also be closed Wednesday for Veteran’s Day.

Business Closures: 

Road Closures: 

Power Outage: 

Dangerous Conditions: 

Shelter Info: 
The Walton County Emergency Operations Center has issued a voluntary evacuation for persons living in low-lying areas and mobile homes. 

Walton County Emergency Operations Center Director, Captain Mike Barker, wants to advise those with disabilities who are unable to get to the “Special Needs Shelter” to contact our EOC Office.  These residents can contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Public Assistance line at 892-8392, or 892-8394. 

The Special Needs and General Shelter will be at Freeport High School’s Gymnasium.  It will open at two o’clock this afternoon.  For information on special needs and qualifications can contact the Walton County Health Department at 892-8015. 

Other Info: 
Due to Tropical Storm Ida, The City of DeFuniak Springs:

·    is closing at 2pm today, Monday, November 9, 2009,
·    will be closed all day Tuesday, November 10, 2009,
·    has canceled the regularly scheduled Council Meeting tonight, Monday, November 9, 2009
·    has canceled the SMART Growth Grant Workshop tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 10th, 2009,
·    will end garbage and trash pickup at 2pm today
·    will pick up all garbage and trash not completed on Monday on Wednesday, November 11, 2009
·    will pick up all Tuesday’s garbage and trash on Wednesday, November 11, 2009
·    will pick up Wednesday’s garbage and trash as scheduled

Veterans’ Day Program Canceled

Due to Tropical Storm Ida, the Veteran’s Day Program scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th at Magnolia Cemetery has been canceled. 

All Veterans are invited to attend a memorial service on November 11, 2009 at 10:00am at the Amvets Post #178 located at 4776 U.S. Highway 90 West.  For more information, please call 892-4594.

Walton County Government Offices to Close Monday, Noon through Wednesday

DeFuniak Springs, FL – All non-essential Walton County Government offices will be closed beginning Monday, November 9 at noon through Wednesday, November 12.  The Board of County Commissioners has declared a state of emergency to handle Hurricane Ida for Monday and Tuesday.  County government offices are closed Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day.

Walton County Sheriff’s officials are operating the Emergency Operations Center throughout the storm.  For further information, contact the Sheriff’s Office Citizen Information Line at (850) 892-8392 or 892-8394.  For information about county government closures and meeting cancellations, log on to the Board of County Commissioner’s website at www.co.walton.fl.us.

Walton County Board of Commissioners Meeting Moved to Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10:00 a.m.

DeFuniak Springs, FL – The Board of County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting and all public hearings on Tuesday, November 9 have been MOVED to Thursday, November 12, 10:00 a.m.  The meeting location will be at the Walton County Courthouse, Commission Board Room, in DeFuniak Springs.  This is a change from the original meeting scheduled at the South Walton Courthouse Annex in Santa Rosa Beach. 

For further information on cancellations and meeting changes, please log on to the Board of County Commission’s website at www.co.walton.fl.us or the Walton County Sheriff’s Office website at www.waltonso.org and Citizens Information Hotline at (850) 892-8392 or 892-8394.

H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Cancellation

Walton County Heath Department Closed on November 10 - 11

Due to Hurricane Ida response, the Walton County Health Department will be closed on Tuesday, November 10 and is closed Wednesday November 11 due to the Veteran’s Day holiday.  The H1N1 Swine Flu vaccination clinic planned for Thursday evening, November 12, has been cancelled. 

The H1N1 Swine flu vaccine clinic planned for Saturday, November 14 from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Walton County Health Department at 362 Hwy 83 in DeFuniak Springs and its coastal branch at 361 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach will be held.

The “Girls Night Out” event for adolescent girls and their parent/guardian on Tuesday evening, November 10 is also cancelled. 

Anyone with questions or needing a rescheduled appointment can reach the health department at:
DeFuniak Branch: (850) 892-8015
Coastal Branch:  (850) 267-8350

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Driftwood Estates County Park Ribbon Cutting Canceled

Santa Rosa Beach, FL – District 5 Commissioner, Cecilia Jones, has cancelled the ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Thursday, November 12 at Driftwood Estates County Park in Santa Rosa Beach.  The event will be rescheduled at a later time.

From WZEP:
The City of Freeport will not have meetings Monday night or Tuesday night. Both meetings will take place later this month.

Life Enrichment Senior Center Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Social Security will not visit DFS Wednesday

DFS Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday has been cancelled. The Student of the Month program has been moved to 11-17.

The Annual Walton Middle School Veteran’s Day Program has been cancelled due the weather.