LIVE UPDATES: Counties planning storm shelter operations; see where you can go

Multiple counties in the Big Bend are activating storm shelters ahead of bad weather expected Sunday into Monday. See the updated list below.

FRANKLIN COUNTY:

Franklin County will be issuing a mandatory evacuation for all barrier island (St. George Island, Dog Island and Alligator Point), low lying and flood prone areas especially along the coast and rivers, and RV parks effective 6:00AM, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Additional evacuations may be issued if there are changes in storm track or intensity.

If you feel unsafe then do not shelter at home, leave until the storm has passed and then return. Remember that if you have health concerns, that EMS will not be able to respond if wind speeds reach 40 mph sustained. It is unsafe for ambulances to be dispatched in high winds.

GADSDEN COUNTY:

In partnership with the Gadsden County School Board and Sheriff’s Office, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners will open the following shelters Sunday at 4 p.m. in Quincy.

• Gadsden County High School (East) (Special Needs and Pets)
  27001 Blue Star Highway
  Havana, FL 32333
  
• West Gadsden Middle
  200 Providence Rd
  Quincy, FL 32351

WATCH NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTER ASHLEY ENGLE REPORT ON THE GADSDEN SHELTER SITUATION IN THE VIDEO BELOW:

Gadsden County neighbors take shelter from Tropical Storm Debby

The Gadsden High School Shelter will also serve as a special needs shelter and pet Shelter. Pet owners who bring their pets to the shelter must bring a crate, medication, food, a leash, necessary supplies and a copy of their pet’s current vaccination records.

First Responders, including the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Emergency Medical Services, or Gadsden County Fire, will not respond to emergency calls once winds reach 35 miles per hour. Calls will still be accepted by dispatch and the Emergency Operation Center; however, response will only resume once conditions are safe.

Residents requiring more information or assistance should call Gadsden County Emergency Management at (850) 875-8903 or 850 875-8930. Additionally, residents can sign up for emergency text alerts at Text AlertGadsden to 888777 for accurate and up-to-date weather and emergency alerts.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

The Jefferson County Emergency Evacuation Shelter will be open beginning August 4, 2024, at 12:00 PM. The Shelter is at the Jefferson K12 School, located at 50 David Road, Monticello, Florida 32344. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Jefferson County Emergency Management at 850-342-0211. If you do evacuate to this shelter, remember to bring your personal items such as medications, water, any special dietary food needs, and bedding.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY:

Pursuant to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Executive Order 24-156 and 24-157 along with Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners Resolution 2024-08-01.

Due to the approach of Tropical Storm Debby, which is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall. Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners and Division of Emergency Management has issued a voluntary evacuation order for all residents living in low lying areas and flood prone areas or structures that have previously flooded during heavy rains. Emergency services may not be immediately available during high water or storm events.

All of Lafayette County can expect to experience tropical storm force winds and depending on the exact track of the storm, the possibility of very heavy rain.

The voluntary evacuations will go into effect on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 11 AM.

The following shelter will be open beginning on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 6 PM.

General Population: Lafayette High School Gymnasium, 160 NE Hornet Ln, Mayo, FL 32066

All County Offices will be closed on Monday, August 5,2024.

If you have any questions, please contact The Division of Emergency Management at (386)294-1950.

LEON COUNTY:

Starting August 4, at 4 p.m., Leon County in coordination with Leon County Schools will open six emergency shelters for the public in preparation for storm-related impacts.

NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTER, TERRY GILLIAM, TALKS WITH ONE NEIGHBOR TAKING SHELTER AT CHILES HIGH SCHOOL. SEE THAT INTERVIEW BELOW:

Neighbors take shelter at Chiles High School as Hurricane Debby nears landfall

The Leon County shelter locations below are available:

• Fort Braden School,15100 Blountstown Hwy
• Chiles High School, 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane (pet-accessible)
• Rickards High School, 3013 Jim Lee Rd.
• Lincoln High School, 3838 Trojan Trail
• Fairview Middle School, 3415 Zillah St.
• SAIL High School, 2006 Jackson Bluff Rd.

LOWNDES COUNTY:

The Red Cross is partnering with Park Avenue Church (formerly Park Avenue United Methodist Church) at 100 E Park Ave Valdosta, GA 31602, to open a shelter for residents who do not have adequate shelter or who are dependent upon electricity for life-sustaining medical devices, such as oxygen concentrators. The shelter will open at 9PM Sunday, August 4, 2024, and will remain open until Tropical Storm conditions subside. Individuals coming to the shelter should park in parking lot A, which is on the corner of East Park Avenue and Patterson Street. The shelter entrance will be through the double doors facing Patterson Street.

SUWANNEE COUNTY:

Sheriff Sam St. John has issued a Mandatory Evacuation Order for all Low-Lying Areas or a Compromised Structure in Suwannee County ahead of Tropical Storm Debby’s landfall. Should you live in a low-lying area or in a compromised structure you may seek shelter at one of the open shelters in Suwannee County.

NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTER ALBERTO CAMARGO IS CHECKING WITH NEIGHBORS WHO ARE SEEKING SHELTER FROM THE STORM:

Suwannee County neighbors take shelter ahead of Tropical Storm Debby

The SCSO will be opening shelters at the following locations on Sunday, August 4th, starting at 12:00 noon in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.

• General Population Shelters:
  In Live Oak - Suwannee Pineview (Pet Friendly)
  1748 S Ohio Ave
• In Branford - Branford Elementary
  26801 SR 247
• Special Needs Shelter:
  Live Oak - Suwannee Springcrest Elementary
  1419 Walker Ave SW

If you need information you may call the Emergency Management Storm Information Line at (386) 364-7922 beginning at 7:00 am, Sunday.
TAYLOR COUNTY:

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office has issued a volunteer evacuation order for all coastal and low lying areas. Learn about the danger of storm surge flooding in coastal areas by watching the video above. The Taylor County Elementary School shelter located at 1600 East Green street will be open at 4 p.m., Saturday. Neighborhood reporter, Maya Sargent, is in Taylor County. Watch her reel on the situation embedded below.

Please bring only essential items due to limited space. Pets are allowed but must be in a crate.

WAKULLA COUNTY:

A voluntary evacuation order is in effect for zone A and low lying areas. Crawfordville Elementary will be open as a shelter location beginning August 4 at 4:00 p.m.

For anyone who has special medical needs and is considering evacuation please contact WCSO Emergency Management at 850-745-7100 to get assistance.

Sand bags will be available today at the Sheriff’s Office beginning at 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Find out what evacuation zone you live in here .