Need Ft. Walton Beach info ASAP!!!

[dixiebreeze]

Grandson Jeremy is stranded about 1/2 mile from the beach and bridges to drive out are closed now. Anyone know conditions there or who to contact for emergency assistance for Jeremy. He's in his home, no boarding up, etc. Family thought he was going elsewhere after work this morning, but apparently miscommunication.

I just talked with him on the phone and he said the winds are really fierce. Never been in a 'cane before (from Oregon) and is new to the Panhandle.

Thanks.

[Cookiely]

diexiebreeze I would suggest calling the highway patrol and tell them he needs help getting out.

[dixiebreeze]

Thanks Cookiely, that's one possibility. This is really an emergency. He Army 1st Cav. vet, but just 23 yrs. old and never dealt with anything like this.

[yzerfan]

Citizen information/ non-emergency line for Okaloosa County is:

850-651-7560

If he's inland, north of 98, and not close to a bayou, it's not too bad so far. Fill the tubs with water, and stay away from windows.

If it's really bad, call 911. The police and sheriff's departments are still providing service.

[JMGNole]

Okaloosa County EOC info.

Including shelters

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/eoc.asp

[dixiebreeze]

He's 1/2 mile from the beach in Walton County. Does Okaloosa handle Ft. Walton Beach?

[Windy]

Yeah, I'd say that constitutes an emergency. There's some time left, but not lots. 1/2 mile inland on the NE quad of the storm probably isn't far enough to avoid the surge.

[lilyv]

dixie,
I found this information for you:
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp? ... ementid=17

[yzerfan]

Ft. Walton Beach/Okaloosa County surge maps here:

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/severe_wea ... _maps.html

There are some places pretty close to the water that, between bluffs and some protection from Santa Rosa Island, are not considered to be in a surge zone.

[JMGNole]

FWB is IN Okaloosa County.

[dixiebreeze]

Lylyv, thanks so much. Just forward all the info you sent to his folks and they are going to call and so am I.

[dixiebreeze]

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice.

[Josephine96]

Hope he stays safe Dixie.. I wonder why he didn't leave or at least board up

[Andy_L]

please let us know how it turns out Dixie....

hoping all is good

[dixiebreeze]

J96 -- he worked this morning and had no idea bridges would close at a certain point. He just moved there from Oregon and has little conception of hurricanes -- especially those of Cat 4 or 5 magnitude!

[dixiebreeze]

Just found out he's on the Escambia/Santa Rosa county line, not far from Ft. Walton Beach. Closer to Pensacola than anywhere. He's looking for an evac. shelter.

[Josephine96]

Good to hear that he's looking for a shelter..

[yzerfan]

Unfortunately, the only 'real' shelters are Crestview or parts further north. There's a 'refuge' (not certified shelter) at Bruner middle school that's opened. I don't think there's anything in south Santa Rosa at all.

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/eoc.asp

[vbhoutex]

That means he is close to Navarre or just East of there. He should still be able to go North on Hwy 87 if he can find it. It doesn't cross the bay. May have some low bridges, but they shouldn't be under water yet. Keep us posted!!!

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/refreshmap ... &rand=2396

If he is out on Navarre Beach, which it sounds like he may be. then he needs to head East to the bridge. There should be LE there that will direct him where to go. He needs to do it now before things start to really deteriorate in a few hours.

[dixiebreeze]

Just heard there may be a high school (shelter) open about 20 miles away -- hope so!