Tropical Storm Debby is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend early Monday
By Jamiya Coleman and Chasity Maynard
Published: Aug. 3, 2024 at 6:46 PM EDT|Updated: 11 hours ago
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Evacuations and shelter openings have been announced in the Big Bend and South Georgia ahead of Tropical Storm Debby.
The list will be updated as we learn more.
Franklin County
Starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, a mandatory evacuation order will take effect in Franklin County 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.”
If the storm path changes or gets stronger, authorities may issue more evacuations.
“If you feel unsafe then do not shelter at home, leave until the storm has passed and then return,” officials said. “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.”
Taylor County
Taylor County Emergency Management officials issued a mandatory evacuation Sunday afternoon for all coastal and low-lying areas. Anyone who elects to stay regardless of the evacuation order needs to be aware that once winds from the storm reach 45 mph, first responders will not be able to respond to you until the storm passes.
A storm shelter opened at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Taylor County Elementary School, located at 1600 East Green St. Those who choose to use this shelter should only bring essential items because of limited space.
Emergency Management says pets are allowed but have to be inside a crate.
Additionally, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office will begin enforcing a curfew from 9 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday. There will be another curfew from 9 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
“Only permissible travel will be to and from work and medical emergencies,” TCSO said.
Food, water and other necessities will be provided by the Florida National Guard located at 601 East Lafayette St. in Perry. The location will open Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Wakulla County
Wakulla County leaders have placed the county under a “mandatory evacuation order” for Zone A.
A shelter location is set to open at Crawfordville Elementary School beginning Sunday at 4 p.m. Anyone who has special medical needs and is considering evacuating can contact Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management at 850-745-7100 for assistance.
Sandbags will be available at WCSO from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The address is 15 Oak Street in Crawfordville.
Jefferson County
A voluntary evacuation has been ordered for all low-lying and mobile home areas, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The Jefferson County emergency evacuation shelter will open Monday night at the Jefferson K12 School, located at 50 David Road in Monticello. Residents are advised to bring personal items such as medications, water, any special dietary food needs, and bedding.
Anyone with questions should call the Jefferson County Emergency Management at 850-342-0211.
Leon County
Starting Sunday at 4 p.m., Leon County in coordination with Leon County Schools will open six emergency shelters. The locations below will be 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.
Lafayette County
A voluntary evacuation will go into effect Sunday at 11 a.m., according to the board of county commissioners.
Additionally, a shelter will be open beginning Sunday at 6 p.m. at Lafayette High School Gym, located at 160 NE Hornet Lane in Mayo.
Hamilton County
A voluntary evacuation has been ordered.
Additionally, a shelter will open at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hamilton County High School gym. Pets are allowed and pet owners are advised to bring their pet cages and food.
Suwannee County
Suwannee County Emergency Management officials will open a safe zone at the coliseum Sunday at 4 p.m. for anyone who may be impacted by flooding evacuations. Residents are advised to bring their own food, water and medicine. Anyone with questions should call 386-364-3405.
Shelters will also be open at Branford Elementary, Suwannee Pineview Elementary, and Suwannee SpringCrest Elementary starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, according to Suwannee County Emergency Management. The shelters were initially scheduled to open at noon.
Animals are only allowed at the Pineview location. Residents with special needs are advised to go to the Springcrest location.
The sheriff’s office has implemented a curfew Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. due to dangerous road conditions and rising waters.
Gadsden County
Emergency shelters are available at Gadsden County High School and West Gadsden Middle School for residents impacted by the tropical storm. Residents with special needs are advised to go to the high school shelter.
Pets are allowed at the high school shelter with proof of vaccination and should remain in crates. Pet owners are allowed to bring their pets necessary supplies.
Transportation to the shelters will also be provided from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday by Big Bend Transits at the following locations:
Havana
Harvey’s Supermarket, 102 1st Avenue East
Midway
Midway City Hall, 50 Martin Luther King Blvd
Quincy
Piggly Wiggly, 18680 Blue Star Highway
Rose’s and Citi Trends Parking Lot,1323 West Crawford Street
CRMC Gadsden Campus (Hospital), 23186 Blue Star Highway
Greensboro
Sawdust Community Park, 3355 Providence Road
Greensboro Elementary School, 559 Greensboro Highway
Gretna
Gretna City Hall, 14615 Main Street
Oak Grove Church, 3510 Atwater Road
Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee Elementary School, 335 Maple Street
Madison County
Madison County authorities will open a “risk shelter” at Madison County Central School on Sunday at 3 p.m. They also will have shelter for pets but the owners must take care of them and it will be in a separate area from the general shelter. Madison County authorities said pets must be vaccinated to be housed at the shelter.
Authorities said they will also open a special needs shelter there for anyone with specialized medical needs.
“Please note that you should bring all necessary supplies to includes cots, air mattresses, comfort items etc,” Madison County Emergency Management wrote. “You should bring any preferred food items as MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) are served for the first 72 hours at the general shelter.”
Lowndes County
The Red Cross partnered with Park Avenue Church, located at 100 E Park Avenue, to open a shelter for residents without adequate shelter or who are dependent on electricity for life-sustaining medical devices. The shleler will open Sunday at 9 p.m. and will remain open until severe weather conditions subside.
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