FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has issued a curfew for all of Franklin County from sunset through sunrise.
The sheriff's office says it will be enforced and you will be arrested if need be.
They ask that residents stay home and out of the way of emergency workers.
Franklin County residents ordered to evacuate Tuesday morning
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Franklin County residents and businesses beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Franklin County Emergency Management issued a mandatory evacuation earlier Monday for non-residents of Franklin County.
A mandatory evacuation is being issued for Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m. for Franklin County residents and businesses. This is to include all of Franklin County but especially St George Island, Dog Island, Alligator Point, Bald point and anyone living along the coastline and all low lying areas.
This storm has the potential for life-threatening storm surge.
If you do not have transportation, officials are offering a one time opportunity to receive transportation out of the county. If you wish to get on the bus, you need to be at the following locations at the specified times:
- Apalachicola: ABC School (98 12th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320) at 10 a.m.
- Eastpoint: Fire Station (24 6th St, Eastpoint, FL 32328) at 11 a.m.
- Carrabelle: Library (311 St James Ave, Carrabelle, FL 32322) at 11:30 a.m.
- Lanark Village: 12 p.m.
Officials ask that you please be patient. The bus will be there to pick you up.
They stress that it is important for everyone to plan to leave the area.
The bridge for the island will close with sustained winds of 40 mph, which will be monitored closely by the Highway Patrol. There will be an officer staged at the East Point side of the island bridge.
CLOSURES:
City of Apalachicola Office, Franklin County Offices, and City of Carrabelle will be CLOSED on Tuesday through Thursday, reopen planned for Friday.
Centennial Bank on St George Island will be closing the SGI Branch Tuesday and Wednesday. Peoples First Bank in Apalachicola will be open on Tuesday, until noon, reopen pending the passing of Hurricane Michael.
Harry A’s on St George Island has closed Monday, pending passing of Hurricane Michael. Paddy’s & Sparks Grocery plan to close Monday, pending passing of Hurricane Michael.
Piggly Wiggly Express plans to close for Tuesday and Wednesday, pending passing of Hurricane Michael. They are expecting another 4000 gallons of gas to be delivered Monday along with ice for their coolers.
Doc Myers, has closed for this afternoon, pending reopening with passing of Hurricane Michael.
All Management Companies are busy preparing their rental homes for Hurricane Michael, securing garbage cans, pool and deck furniture, etc.
SHELTERS:
Honeyville Community Center in Wewahitchka will open at 10AM EST on Tuesday. This is a small shelter for General Population.
Jackson County Marianna High School is mobilizing. This is a small shelter for General Population and Special Needs.
Walton County Freeport High School is mobilizing. This shelter is for general population, is pet friendly and can also handle special needs. Capacity for shelter is 2000.
BE SURE TO MONITOR:
- www.franklinemergencymanagement.com
- @FranklinEOC on Facebook – Like Our Page for Updates
- Alert Franklin – Sign up at www.franklinemergencymanagement.com
- Local Radio and TV Stations
- WeatherStem- download app on phone or www.weatherstem.com
Residents, visitors in Franklin County prepare for Hurricane Michael
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Residents and visitors to Franklin County are figuring out whether or not to evacuate as Hurricane Michael gets closer to the Gulf Coast.
As we drove into town, we saw several RV's heading the other way. The gas stations have gotten busier as the day wore on. People are taking this storm very seriously, even without mandatory evacuations at this point.
Sunset Isle is an RV park right by the coast.
One of the managers told me they've started putting things inside. They're even putting some of the pool furniture inside the pool to keep it from flying away.
As for the visitors, it's a toss-up. Some can afford to leave, while others really have no place to go.
"The highway runs east and west here. Anything north of us is the forest, you know. If you're just going to go into the forest, then what?" said Becca Amy, the manager of Sunset Isle. "So, it truly is about if you can go, you should probably go, and if you can't, you just make the best preparations you can to hunker down and hang in there -- knowing that emergency management won't be able to help you at some point."
That's the key right there: If it gets too dangerous, first responders won't be able to do anything for those who may in trouble.