Updated 9/10/17: with additional shelter locations in Liberty, Taylor and Gadsden Counties.
It's bad news for the big bend region. Hurricane Irma is heading straight for the region and coastal counties have ordered evacuations.
Franklin County
St. George Island and all low-lying areas and mobile homes.
Jefferson County
Voluntary evacuation for coastal and low-lying areas.
Leon County (as of September 9 4:19 PM ET):
Voluntary evacuation effective immediately for all Leon County residents until Sunday, September 10 at 8 P.M. After that, residents should shelter in place until winds subside.
Shelters:
Lawton Chiles High School: 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane (Pet Friendly) already open
Oak Ridge Elementary School: 4530 Shelfer Road opening 8:00 a.m. Saturday
Florida High School: 3000 Schoolhouse Road (Pet Friendly) Opening 7:00 a.m. Saturday for special needs; 12:00 p.m. Saturday general population.
Gadsden County
Shelter:
East Gadsden High and West Gadsden High County Opening Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Gulf County (as of September 9 8:00 AM ET):
Mandatory evacuations for all RV’s in the coastal corridor (one mile from the water). This includes T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Indian Pass Campground and Presnell’s Campground.
Port St. Joe Elementary and Wewahitchka High School will be available for staging RV’s this morning at 9:00 am.
Mandatory evacuations for all north of the Stump Hole (large rocks alongside the road where the road turns to the north) on Cape San Blas Road (SR 30-E).
Voluntary evacuations for those in Evacuation Zone A, water side of Hwy 98, including SR & CR 30-A, as well as Indian Pass. Also all mobile homes and those in low-lying areas.
Shelter:
Blountstown High School, 18597 NE SR 69, Blountstown, FL 32424 will serve as a general population shelter starting at 4:00 PM ET
Items to bring to shelters include bedding (there are not usually cots in evacuation shelters), medicine, and any special foods or snacks needed.
Quiet toys to keep children entertained, Chargers for electronics, Towels, showers are available.
Wakulla County (as of September 9 10:42 AM ET):
Mandatory evacuation for residents south of U.S. Highway 98 (Coastal Highway) and South U.S. 319 (Sopchoppy Highway)—ZONE A (red on map).
The evacuation order also applies to all residents living in manufactured homes and low lying areas within Wakulla County to include Surf Road.
Shelter:
A Red Cross Shelter will be opened at Crawfordville Elementary at 6:00 PM on Arran Road in Crawfordville. It is not pet friendly at this time.
Liberty County (as of September 10 8:00 AM)
Shelter:
WR Tolar K-8, Opening Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Taylor County (as of September 8 6:50 PM ET):
Mandatory Evacuation Order for the Low Lying, Coastal, RV areas.
Shelter:
A local shelter will be opened this evening a 8:00 pm at the Steinhatchee Elementary School, 1209 1st Ave SE, Steinhatchee, FL.
Taylor County Elementary School Opening Friday 5:00 p.m.
