FLORIDA (WTXL) - Evacuation orders for several Big Bend counties are beginning to roll out.
LEON COUNTY: The Leon County chairman has since issued a voluntary evacuation for those living in mobile homes.
The voluntary evacuation is effective immediately for all Leon County residents until Sunday, September 10 at 8 p.m. They say the voluntary evacuation is being issued to give citizens adequate time to leave the area, if you choose to do so.
If citizens choose to stay, your options will be to shelter in place or in an emergency shelter. Shelter information can be found at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei or by calling (850) 606-3700.
GADSDEN COUNTY: A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for mobile homes, RVs, and sub-standard housing in Gadsden County according to the City of Midway Police Department.
MADISON COUNTY: A mandatory evacuation has been issued to all mobile homes, sub-standard housing, RV's and low lying areas in Madison County.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office strongly encourages everyone who's residence falls in one of these categories to seek shelter at the Madison County Central School. The shelter is now open.
WAKULLA COUNTY: An evacuation order has been issued for Wakulla County Residents south of U.S. 98 (Coastal Highway) and South U.S. 319 (Sopchoppy Highway).
This evacuation order is for everybody in zone A in the picture below and for all residents living in mobile homes and low lying areas within Wakulla County to include Surf Road:
LIBERTY COUNTY: As a result of Hurricane Irma, a voluntary evacuation order is being issued for mobile homes and low lying areas through Liberty County, Florida.
W.R. Tolar School, located at 14745 NW County Road 12, Bristol, FL has been opened as a storm shelter.
The Liberty County Sheriff's Office is reminding everyone of these important numbers:
- Liberty County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: 850-643-2235
- Liberty County Emergency Management: 850-643-2339
- Special Needs Shelter Accomidations: 850-643-6048 or 850-694-2649
- Emergency: 911
LAFAYETTE COUNTY: A mandatory evacuation order has been issued to all residents of Lafayette County.
SUWANNEE COUNTY: Suwannee County has issued a voluntary evacuation of low lying areas and older mobile homes due to the shift of Hurricane Irma and intensity in winds.
TAYLOR COUNTY: A mandatory evacuation order has been issued by Taylor County Emergency Management for low lying, coastal, and RV areas. They are encouraging anyone to evacuate by Sunday if you are in a flood prone area.
Officials say the evacuation order is based on the weather service advisory showing that some counties could receive tropical force winds on Sunday.
They worry the winds could increase to category 1 hurricane force winds and above for an extended period of time.
Find a master list of shelters in the Big Bend here.
We will keep you updated as evacuation orders come in.
