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Mandatory Evacuations For Portions Of Gulf Coast Ahead of Hurricane Hermine

National Hurricane Center
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http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/032609.shtml?5-daynl

Emergency officials are urging Gulf Coast residents to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Hermine.

Portions of Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties are under mandatory evacuation notice. Voluntary evacuation is also underway in Walton, Jefferson and Gulf counties. Emergency officials are urging residents of coastal communities to head inland. Dustin Hinkel is the Taylor County Administrator.

“We do encourage people that are having to evacuate that they go and stay with friends and family because that’s a more comfortable environment and atmosphere for them. But we certainly have the facilities available for them if they need a place to go,” Hinkel said.

Forecasters are predicting potentially life-threatening storm surge and heavy rains, making coastal residents especially vulnerable. Mandy Lemmermen is with the Dixie County Emergency Management.

“Think of your safety and try to get to a shelter or to a safe location with other family members that live in different places through the state or even out of state,” Lemmermen said.

Hurricane Hermine is expected to make landfall late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Emergency officials are preparing for strong winds, heavy rains, flash floods, storm surge and isolated tornadoes.

As a Tallahassee native, Kate Payne grew up listening to WFSU. She loves being part of a station that had such an impact on her. Kate is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Kate has a broad range of multimedia experience. When she’s not working, you can find her rock climbing, cooking or hanging out with her cat.