Hurricane Isaias is expected to strengthen through early Friday ahead of its landfall in the Gulf Coast area where it is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane.
Hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 27 counties Thursday, Leon County leaders followed suit.
Leon County Chairman Christian Caban declared a weeklong local state of emergency after the National Weather Service extended a tropical storm warning to Leon County.
The declaration does not include evacuations or curfews.
“Our Emergency Management team is working hand in hand with the National Weather Service, the State of Florida and our local partners, and County crews are already in the field preparing for flooding,” Caban said.
County officials encourage residents to finish storm preparations ahead of the storm’s expected landfall Friday afternoon.
“Our Emergency Operations Center is activated, Public Works crews are checking known flood-prone roads and clearing drainage systems, and our five sandbag sites are open and staffed. The County encourages everyone to stay alert and stay informed as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf,” County Administrator Vincent Long said.
County offices, libraries and community centers will close at noon Friday and are expected to reopen for normal hours on Saturday.
Leon County Schools will follow an early release schedule, and all campuses and offices will close at 3 p.m.
Counties with school closures Friday include:
- Bay
- Calhoun
- Escambia
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gulf
- Holmes
- Jackson
- Liberty
- Okaloosa
- Santa Rosa
- Taylor
- Walton
- Wakulla
- Washington
Classes at Tallahassee State College are cancelled Friday. Florida A&M and Florida State University’s will host remote classes until noon.
