The Walton County Commission declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon, asking the state to help aid the county’s response and recovery from heavy flooding along the Choctawhatchee River near Bruce.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a voluntary evacuation for residents in low-lying areas south of County Road 181-C to the mouth of Choctawhatchee Bay, including the Bunker and Steel Field areas.
A shelter opened Tuesday at the Bruce United Methodist Church at 269 Church Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Residents can go to the shelter any time day or night until the voluntary evacuation is over, said Sheriff’s Capt. Audie Rowell. He didn’t anticipate a mandatory evacuation would be necessary.
The Sheriff's Office recommended those evacuating to the shelter bring:
- identification
- important medications
- any special medical devices (wheelchairs, oxygen, walkers)
- infant items (diapers formula, and baby foods)
- bedding (pillows, blankets)
- activities for small children
- enough food and water for 72 hours
At 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Choctawhatchee was at 15.4 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 13 feet. The river is expected to crest at 20.6 feet by Saturday morning.
Flooding was not as bad in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties after last weekend’s heavy rain.
Okaloosa County emergency management officials monitored areas around the Shoal River on Tuesday. Emergency Management Coordinator Ken Wolfe said any flooding likely will not force nearby residents to evacuate.
In Santa Rosa County, the Deaton Bridge and Bryant Bridge were closed Tuesday because of road flooding. However, the flooding was not expected to threaten any homes, said Joy Tsubooka, the county’s public information officer.
Runoff is collecting in local creeks and rivers in Walton County, said Mark Lenz, service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. No more heavy rain is forecast, although there could be some light showers this weekend.
He recommended that residents continue to heed flooding warnings until the river crests Saturday. If water the level impedes a resident from moving freely in and out of their home, Lenz recommended evacuating.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the following roads were closed because of flooding: Pen Williams Road between BA Kelley and Punch Bowl Road in DeFuniak Springs; Woods Road in DeFuniak Springs; Padgett Road between Scott Road and County Road 183B in Ponce de Leon; Iris Lane in DeFuniak Springs; Indian Creek Ranch Road at the bridge in DeFuniak Springs; and Silas Road in Westville.
Flooding can cause sewage problems, according to the Walton County Health Department. It recommends against letting children play in flood water. Also, those whose ground is soaked from rain or flooding should use household water as little as possible to keep sewage from backing up in the home.
If sewage does back up, stay out of the affected areas, the Health Department advised. If a sewage backup sprays the whole home, leave until it has been disinfected.
Private well owners near flooded areas should use bottled water or boil water for at least 1 minute before using it to cook, wash food, drink, or wash dishes, the Health Department cautioned.
They should also disinfect water by adding about 1/8 of a teaspoon of plain, unscented household bleach per gallon of water and letting it stand for an hour. If the water is cloudy, repeat the procedure once. The Health Department recommended storing the water in a closed container.
After the flooding, disinfect the well using procedures outlined by the county or state Department of Health and have the water tested for coliform bacteria by the Health Department or a state certified laboratory.
Updates and more information will be provided through the Sheriff’s Office website, Facebook account, Walton Alert (Facebook account), twitter and other local media outlets. Call the Sheriff’s Office at 850-892-8186 with any questions.
To learn more about flood safety, visit the Florida Department of Emergency Management website.
To learn more about health precautions to take living near a flooded area, visit the Florida Department of Health website.
Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy contributed to this report.