Tropical Storm Debby Information - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Tropical Storm Debby Information

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By Heather Kretzer - bio | email
By Ken McVay - bio | email
Indian Pass Road going to campground. Indian Pass Road going to campground.
Barge hits old St. George Island Bridge causing damage to the now fishing pier. Picture courtesy Jake Carpenter. Barge hits old St. George Island Bridge causing damage to the now fishing pier. Picture courtesy Jake Carpenter.
Battery Park Flooding, Franklin County Battery Park Flooding, Franklin County
Apalachicola Bridge closed Apalachicola Bridge closed

Due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 12-140, declaring a statewide state of emergency. The Executive Order designates Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan W. Koon as the State Coordinating Officer. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is operating at a Level One, full activation.

"Because of the broad impact of Tropical Storm Debby, virtually every county in Florida could be affected.  Some communities are already grappling with flooding, wind damage and electrical outages," said Governor Scott. "This executive order allows the State Emergency Response Team to quickly and effectively coordinate the response and ensure needed resources are available.  Florida's residents and guests should stay informed of the progress of Tropical Storm Debby and heed all instructions from local officials to keep their family, friends and businesses safe."

The Executive Order directs all state agencies, including the Florida National Guard, to provide any necessary assistance when requested by local governments. The Governor was briefed this morning at the SEOC and will remain informed of the emergency situation due to Tropical Storm Debby. Under Florida law, the Governor has the ultimate responsibility for protecting the public health and safety in emergencies that are beyond the capability of local government to control.

The SEOC in Tallahassee was fully activated Monday afternoon as a result of the potential impacts to the State from Tropical Storm Debby. The SEOC will continue to support requests for assistance from impacted counties.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30. To GET A PLAN! visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. For the latest information on the 2012 Hurricane Season, follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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Gulf County

At their Emergency Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 10:30am ET, the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency for damages sustained during T.S. Debby. At this time no evacuation orders have been issued and current forecast project the track of the storm heading east. Intermitted rain and wind gusts still continue.

All roads are currently open and visitors are advised to drive with caution. For additional information contact Gulf County Emergency Management at 229-9110 or the Gulf County Sheriff's Office at 227-1115.

Gulf County B.O.C.C. Emergency Meeting and School Closures

Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will hold an Emergency Meeting Monday morning at 10:30 am eastern time, in the Robert M. Moore Administration Building.

Currently, Gulf County Emergency Management has been activated, Level 2.

School Closures: All Head Start School Facilities along with Gulf County Summer Schools will be closed Monday.

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Bay County

  • Emergency Operations Center under full activation.
  • Deane Bozeman school opening as shelter at 7:00 p.m. for special needs and general population. Pets are allowed by shot records and food must be provided by their owners. Those coming to the shelter need to bring bedding and personal hygiene products. They also need to bring any medications they may have.
  • Bay District Schools are closed Monday to students. Employees will be required to report to work. All Bay Base programs will be open on Monday. Parents are asked to stay tuned to local television reports for additional information.
  • Early Education and Care, Inc. announces Head Start and Early Head Start Centers in Bay County will be closed on Monday to children due to the inclement weather. Employees will be required to report to work.
  • Gulf Coast State College and FSU Panama City will hold classes as normal on Monday.
  • All Bay County Boys and Girls Clubs locations will be opened as scheduled on Monday.
  • Bay District Schools Summer School make up classes, and all other district offices and operations will resume regular schedules tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26, 2012. 
     

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Franklin County

UPDATE:

  • According to the head of safety for Franklin County Schools, all schools in the county will be closed on Tuesday, June 26. Parents and students are asked to stay tuned to local news media for updates on future school schedules.
  • Also, local courts in Franklin and Wakulla counties will remain closed due to Tropical Storm Debby
  • Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced today a two-week extension of the licensing period for the Apalachicola Bay Oyster Harvesting License. Due to extreme conditions caused by Tropical Storm Debby in the Apalachicola Bay Area, the licensing period was extended through close of business July 13. Under normal circumstances, the 45-day licensing period for the Apalachicola Bay Oyster Harvesting License, which is required to commercially harvest oysters from the Apalachicola Bay System, ends June 30. With the extension, applicants will not be subject to the $500 late fee until after July 13. Tropical Storm Debby is currently affecting the Apalachicola Bay area and weather forecasts predict the storm will continue to affect the area through Friday, June 29. The Franklin County offices of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were closed today until further notice.

UPDATE: According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Apalachicola Bay Bridge has been re-opened. Officials are continuing to monitor winds at this time.

REVISED MANDANTORY EVACUATION ORDER FRANKLIN COUNTY 06/24/2012 5:00 PM

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER INDICATES THAT ALL PERSONS LIVING IN MOBILE HOMES BE INCLUDED IN THE MANDANTORY EVACUATION, DUE TO POSSIBLE STORM STRENGTHENING AND INCREASED STORM SURGE FOR AN EXTENDE TIME.

AT 4:00 PM EDST THE FRANKLIN COUNTY OPERATIONS CENTER IS ISSUING A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ALLIGATOR POINT,ST GEORGE ISLAND, ANY LOW LYING, FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

WE ARE ASKING AL OTHER RESIDENTS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND OFF THE ROADS AND STREETS.

CLOSURE OF FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICES FOR MONDAY JUNE 25, 2012

ALL FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY JUNE 25, 2012

IF YOU HAVE A COURT APPEARANCE PLEASE CONTACT MRS. MAARCIA JOHNSON AT 653.9023 OR 653-5409

A SHELTER FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL BE OPEN AT             

TOLAR ELEMENTERY SCHOOL AT 14757 N W COUNTY RD 12 IN BRISTOL, FL

  • St. George Island Bridge is closed.
  • Total power outage at St. George Island. Scattered power outages.
  • Apalachicola Bridge is closed because a barge hit the old bridge and is now trapped under the new bridge.
  • Local state of emergency declared at 8:15 a.m. Partial activation at level 2.
  • Early Education and Care, Inc. announces Head Start and Early Head Start Centers in Franklin County will be closed on Monday to children due to the inclement weather. Employees will be required to report to work. 

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Walton County

  • No activation at this time.
  • Double red flags are flying on the beaches indicating that waters as closed as 3-5 foot storm surges are possible.
  • Monitoring the situation

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Liberty County

  • According to Liberty County Emergency Management Director Rhonda Lewis, Highway 67 in Liberty County has water across the roadway. This is near the Liberty-Franklin County line. The roadway is open and passable, but drivers are urged to use caution.

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Gulf Power Information

Gulf Power Company is making preparations for Tropical Storm Debbie and is asking customers to plan for power outages as the storm moves slowly towards Northwest Florida.

"With a direct hit by a strong tropical storm or a category one hurricane, some areas could be without power for several days, depending on the damage," said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications supervisor with Gulf Power. "We have storm-tested crews and a comprehensive response plan that we are prepared to put into action, but it does take time to safely put the electric system back together after a severe tropical storm or hurricane."

The utility  has already made contact with its sister utilities, Mississippi Power, Alabama Power and Georgia Power, should it need to call on their resources for assistance.  Gulf Power will also be in contact with other utilities throughout the Southeast to either provide assistance or receive assistance, depending on where Debbie makes landfall.  

Rogers said Gulf Power encourages customers to prepare for the storm as well. "The better prepared our customers are, the easier the restoration process will be for everyone," Rogers said. "We prepare year-round for the unexpected, and we urge everyone to be prepared and have a plan."

One way to help prepare for hurricanes is to visit Gulf Power's Storm Center website, which contains information on how to prepare for hurricane season, along with safety and other storm survival tips. At GulfPower.com, click on the "About Us" tab and scroll to "Storm Center." This page will be prominently featured once a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition, customers can follow updates on Gulf Power's Facebook page or Twitter feed: www.facebook.com/gulfpowercompany or www.twitter.com/gulfpower .

Customers can also report outages on their mobile phone at www.gulfpower.com .

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Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative reports scattered outages throughout our service territory due to the high winds and heavy rain from Tropical Storm Debby.

Crews have worked throughout the day to restore power and will continue working throughout the night. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our members. We remind everyone to treat all downed power lines as being energized and to report downed power lines and outages by calling one of our toll-free after-hours outage reporting numbers at 800-333-9392 or 800-568-3667.

For further information, follow Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/GulfCoastElectric and www.twitter.com/GulfCoastEC

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Progress Energy

UPDATE: There are three damaged transmission structures down in St. George Sound. Because of this, there is no electric power to St. George Island. We have to wait until the weather subsides to assess the extent of the damage. At this point, we do not have an estimated time of restoration and will not have one until we are able to get onto the island.

The Eastpoint to St. George Island Tap transmission project is scheduled to be completed July 9 – with a switchover of power starting at midnight, and lasting approximately eight hours. We are accelerating the project and will complete the switch over to the new equipment as soon as possible. Because of the planned new work, we will not repair the damaged structures.

Once we get onto the island, it will still take several days to conduct damage assessment and complete the switch over to the new equipment. Any customers that have not evacuated will need to be prepared for multiple days without electricity.

PREVIOUS INFORMATION: Progress Energy Florida crews have battled the effects of Tropical Storm Debby today, and are preparing to repair even more damage as the slow-moving storm continues to pound the Florida coastline.
 
Crews worked throughout Sunday, successfully restoring more than 80,000 customers who lost power from this tropical storm system. At 9:30 p.m., about 35,000 customers were still without power. The company expects more outages as the storm makes landfall and moves through its service territory next week.
 
In anticipation of continued damage from T. S. Debby, Progress Energy Florida has moved crews from areas not affected by the storm and is bringing in additional line & service and tree personnel from neighboring utilities.
 
The company is mobilizing employees to handle increased customer calls, to quickly evaluate storm damage, to coordinate line crew and equipment mobilization and to coordinate materials required for repairs.
 
Progress Energy Florida encourages customers to ensure household safety and to call Progress Energy Florida to report power outages at 1-800-228-8485. Customers can also use this number to report downed power lines.
 
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Talquin Electric Cooperative

We have an outage affecting the Gretna Substation – this affects 3248 members in Gadsden County. At present the cause is unknown.  Crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.