Flooding update with Washington County Road Closings

Holmes County EMA Director Wanda Stafford reminded the county that the Board of County Commissioners has issued a voluntary evacuation for the Choctawhatchee River basin and for residents that live in low-lying, flood-prone areas county wide.

"All necessary precautions should be taken with personal property, livestock and pets in rising water if you are in these flood-prone areas," she said.

"Due to the amount of rainfall in lower Alabama, the Choctawhatchee River is expected to crest at 18 feet at Caryville at 12:01 a.m. March 31. Please use extreme caution on all dire roads and highways due to standing water.

"Anyone needing emergency assistance or shelter should contact the Holmes County Sheriff's Office at 547-3681 or the Holmes County Emergency Operations Center at 547-1112.

"Stay tuned to your local media for further information."

Road closings at 2:30 pm Sunday according to Holmes County EMA:

Kelly Lane, Izagora Drive, Intersection of Hwy 2 and Hwy 179A, Hwy. 179A north of Hwy 2 to the Alabama line, West John Clark Hwy, Intersection of Hwy 2 and Hwy 163, Hwy 179 north at Smith Chapel Church Rd, Curry Ferry Rd.

Will Lee Rd, Ten Mile Rd, New Bayview Church Rd, Hwy 173 north of Hwy 2 to the Alabama line closed indefinitely, Brackin Rd, Hwy 177 north of Hwy 2, Yancey Road (bridge out at both ends), Rum Road, Otis Lane.

Gillman Road to Rum Road, Hwy 2 west (highway undermined and caved in), Joe French Rd, Hall Rd (Esto), Roping Road, Grover Lewis Rd, Hwy 175 and Rufus Bass Rd, Metcalf Road, W.A. Clark Rd (indefinitely, bridge out), George Johnson Rd.

Tanner Lane, Lake Victor Rd, Long Round Bay Rd, Old Liberty School Rd, Howell Williams Rd, Love Rd, Woodham Rd, Phillips Rd, Bethlehem Church Rd, Cane Mill Rd, Howell Williams Rd, Bush Rd, Spring Valley Rd, Rob Forehandng Rd, Adolphus Whittaker Rd,

Harris Steverson Rd, Jesse O. Lewis, Kirkland Rd, Paulk Rd, Tup McWaters Rd, Bonifay-Gritney Rd, Tobe Retherford Rd, Boat Ramp Rd.

 WASHINGTON COUNTY UPDATE

Based on information provided by the Southeast River Forecast Center, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee and the situation to our north, the Washington Board of County Commissioners met in Special Session today at 3PM to declare a Local State of Emergency. Moderate flooding is occurring and expected to continue.   The current forecast shows the Choctawhatchee at Caryville cresting at around 17.7 feet sometime Monday evening or the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 31_{.  However, changes to the forecast with a higher crest are possible.}

 The National Weather Service has advised us the system expected to move through Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning could produce wide spread amounts of rain to our area from 2 - 4 inches with isolated amounts of 6 inches possible.  Any rain we do not receive will go to our north which will eventually affect the River at Caryville causing additional concerns.

At 16 feet, Hwy 279 S. at Caryville will be cut off; several Fish Camps, residential areas and additional rural roads will be flooded.