Tropical Storm Debby's Destruction Continues in Franklin County - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

As Tropical Storm Debby takes her time in the Panhandle, Franklin County officials are most concerned with flooding.  

Franklin County residents are still packing up and heading north, staying out of the way of Tropical Storm Debby's fury, as mandatory evacuations are still in effect for St. George Island, Alligator Point and low-lying areas.  

With his wife and dog by his side, resident Paul Ruppert was able to go back to his home on St. George Island as police are allowing residents to cross over the now "closed" St. George Island bridge to gather more belongings and check their properties.  

"We're just here to check on things," Ruppert said. "We are renting the house there were a few shingles off of it but that's okay, it's better off than other houses around here." 

At the Franklin County Emergency Management Center, workers have been tracking Debby's path. Their main concern is flash flooding.  

"The only problem we have is that this thing is moving so slowly that we have time to generate what you call fetch with the water," said EMC director Tom Durham.  

In Downtown Apalachicola, even the courthouse saw it's affects as water flooded the first floor and leaked through the roof, causing ceiling and wall damage. But the worst flooding was across the street from the courthouse at the Apalachicola Maritime Museum. The entrance is completely flooded and inside the employee Ashley Lolley stands in inches of water.  

"We haven't worked these past couple of days. I was supposed to come into work this morning but the floors were flooded," Lolley said.  

Lolley and Ruppert are both surprised by just how strong the storm is and the damage it's creating in Franklin County.  

"I think it caught people off guard," Lolley said.  

"I think it got a lot worst then they thought it was going to be, because nobody talked about it at all until right at the end," Ruppert added.  

But Chairman of the Franklin County Commission, Pinki Jackel says this storm won't rain on the parade, especially the one scheduled for July 4^th.  

"We need their prayers, but we are also hopeful that we be open by the weekend and we are going to have a great 4th of July weekend on St. George Island so come on and see us we will be there," said Commissioner Jackel.  

EOC officials say the mandatory evacuations will be in affect until they say so and Monday night St. George Island will have an 8 p.m. curfew and anyone out will be subject to arrest. 

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.