Weather Update with road closures in WC

CHIPLEY - Washington County Emergency Operations Center staff, county officials and the National Weather Service had a conference call Thursday morning to give the latest weather update.

There is a very high risk for severe weather, as reported by Kelly Godsey of the Tallahassee National Weather Service.

Rain will be coming in at a steady one-inch per hour along Panama City, Blounstown and up to Southeastern Georgia with chances of significant flooding.

Rainfall is estimated to total 4 to 5 inches, with and excess of 3 inches in Bay County.

For the Panhandle, the estimated rainfall will be seven inches at the heaviest by tomorrow morning.

Heavy rains bringing another 3 to 5 inches are predicted for late this afternoon and more tonight between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. this evening estimated at 5 to 7 inches.

There will be a severe threat of isolated and long lasting tornadoes with high winds reaching 70 mph and 1 to 2 inch sized hail, creating a “duel-threat.”

“It is heading in the general direction of Tallahassee,” he said. “We are looking at the threat going on through Sunday.”

The second wave of bad weather is estimated to hit Holmes and Washington County by 10 or 11 p.m. this evening.

“We think tomorrow is going to be much better as we reach a lulling stage and try to anticipate what the weather will do from there,” he said.

Though he said for the next 24 hours the estimated rainfall will increase.

Rivers:
•    The Chipola River near Altha is in the major flood stage with an estimated crest at 35 feet.
•    In Midway, Fla. the estimated crest is at 80 feet for Friday and Saturday.
•    The Choctahatchee River near Bruce is estimated to crest at 21.1 feet.
•    The Choctahatchee River near Caryville is leveling off at a crest of 16 feet and is expected to go no higher.

Noon Meeting:

No change in previous predictions.

Lynne Jordan of the Washington County EOC expressed her concerns about there being no one coming into the Vernon Shelter, located at the Vernon Community Center (old Vernon High School gym).

The Vernon Community Center is also going to be a water drop off point for Washington County. Supplies of water are for any residents without water.

Road warnings

The Washington County Public Works Department advises anyone traveling county dirt roads to use extreme caution. It is recommended that residents stay off the roadways if possible due to flooding and continued rains. The rains we have been experiencing throughout the day are expected to continue into the evening hours with the potential for more thunderstorms and severe weather. If you need to report a road condition in Washington County, please call the Public Works Department at 850-638-6280 or the Emergency Management Office at 850-638-6203.