Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 41 Florida counties as the state prepares for the impacts of an incoming storm system.
At 12 p.m. on Monday Sept. 23rd, the National Weather Service said that potential Tropical Cyclone #9 “will continue to intensify as it moves northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and could become a Major Hurricane before reaching the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.”
The NWS says there is increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge as well as hurricane-force winds. The path of the storm is still uncertain with projections ranging from the Tampa Bay area west through the Panhandle. The impacts could begin as early as Wednesday night and could last into Friday. Local emergency management officials are urging residents to continue monitoring the storm and updates, say that now is the time to begin reviewing emergency supplies and to start making plans.
Local emergency management info by county:
Bay:
Register for weather alerts at www.AlertBay.com so you don’t miss any U.S. National Weather Service updates and community information. Sandbags can be found at home improvement stores.
Sand for bagging is available at the following locations:
- Pete Edwards Field (7300 McElvey Rd.)
- Majette Yard (4741 Fire Tower Rd.)
Franklin:
Sandbag distribution locations will open tomorrow from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Franklin County is no longer providing filled sandbags; only empty bags and sand at the following locations:
- The Old State Yard (1090 Bluff Rd, Apalachicola, FL)
- Vrooman Park (30 6th St, Eastpoint, FL)
- Old Courthouse Annex (1647 HWY 98, Carrabelle, FL)
- SGI Firehouse (324 E Pine Ave, St. George Island, FL)
Please note that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) does not issue re-entry tags once activated. If you possess a driver’s license with a Franklin County address, you are covered. If not, be sure to bring documentation that demonstrates property ownership or residency in the county.
Gadsden
Public Works will open sandbag locations on Tuesday, September 24, and Wednesday, September 25, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the following locations below:
- Eugene Lamb Park (258 Lakeview Dr. Havana)
- Post Plant Pit off Post Plant Road. (St. Hebron area)
- Sawdust Park (3355 Providence Road. (Sawdust area)
- Clark Pitt off Edwin Clark Road. (Greensboro area)
- Rosedale Park (166 Charity Davis Circle (Bonnie Hill area)
Jefferson
Sandbagging areas and other advisories have yet to be official listed by Jefferson County, we will update this list as they release that information.
Leon
Starting Monday, September 23, at noon, sandbags will be available at the following locations:
- Leon County’s Northeast Branch Library (5513 Thomasville Road)
- Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), (7550 Apalachee Parkway)
- Fred George Park (3043 Capital Circle NW)
- Intersection of Oak Ridge Road and Ranchero Road
- Fort Braden Community Park (15000 Blountstown Hwy)
- Leon County will staff these sites from dawn to dusk to assist residents in quickly filling sandbags.
- Sand, bags, and ties will be available for public use.
- Residents are asked to limit their sandbags to 15 per household to ensure availability for others.
You can also sign up for Leon Alerts (https://member.everbridge.net/892807736725565/ov) to receive time-sensitive emergency messages related to severe weather, evacuations, and other incidents.
Wakulla
Beginning tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m., Wakulla County Sherriff’s Office will have sandbags available (limit of 10 per car).
- Wakulla County Sheriff's Office (15 Oak St, Crawfordville, FL 32327)
