In a 7:30PM conference call with Florida state emergency operations personnel on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, the Washington County, Florida Emergency Operations staff, along with Washington County commissioners, constitutional officers, public safety officials and department heads came up to speed on projected impact from severe weather expected on Thursday morning, February 6, 2020.
Following the call, Washington County Commission Chairman Tray Hawkins announced a state of emergency in Washington County starting at 8PM on Wednesday evening, and that emergency crews will be on alert in Washington County for the duration of this weather event, with an anticipated conference call with weather updates from state officials at 3AM on Thursday morning.
Hawkins suggests that residents make preparations for extremely high winds and potentially heavy rainfall.
‘Winds are expected to be around 45 miles an hour at 8AM on Thursday morning’, said Hawkins, ‘with gusts of up to 70 or 75 miles an hour’.
‘Citizens are advised to keep travel to a minimum once the storm hits, and any reports of downed trees or blocked roads can be made to 850-638-6111, the County non-emergency phone line’.
‘Precautions and preparations should be made similar to those when facing any other sever weather event, with citizens advised to have adequate water, food and medicines for the duration of the storm’, said Hawkins.
As of 8PM on Wednesday evening, schools had been closed in Holmes, Jackson, Calhoun and Bay County for Thursday, February 6, but schools were anticipated to be open as usual in Washington County, according to Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor.
Additional information will be disseminated as it is available, according to Hawkins.
‘We advise our citizens to stay safe and stay off the roads if possible during this storm, and following the storm, beware of downed power lines and other potentially dangerous debris’.
