Flooding hits Washington County

CHIPLEY ? By the time rain returned Friday, all the roads in Washington County had been declared closed.

In spite of incessant rain and flooding, there were no injuries reported to the Washington County Sheriff?s Office as of Friday morning.

The Red Cross Shelter that opened Wednesday in Vernon was moved to the Washington County Agricultural Center in Chipley on Thursday due to flooding at the Vernon High School campus, where the shelter initially opened.

On Friday, workers at the shelter advised residents to bring bedding.

?We have 13 to14 cots, but they need to bring pillows and bedding,? said volunteer Carol Dow.

The shelter at the Ag Center is open for families that are impacted by flooding.

Food is being provided at the shelter, Dow said, so people do not have to bring food items with them. On Thursday evening only two people had signed up at the shelter.

Dow said she did not know how many days the shelter would need to remain open.

?We are urging everyone to pay attention to local media and announcements from local governments regarding road closures and water levels in low-lying areas,? said Red Cross Director Bob Pearce.

Due to the extremely dangerous road conditions, all county government offices, including the courthouse, were closed Friday.

Rising water and continued rains have made the dirt roads unstable, according to county officials, and running waters have begun to erode the travel lanes. Many of the dirt roads have been cut in two.

The paved roads have been impacted, as well. Several paved roads have water standing or running across them creating travel hazards.

In Holmes County, it was much the same story, with detention ponds overflowing and the Choctawhatchee River threatening to overrun its banks.

?We strongly urge all residents to travel only when necessary,? Holmes County Emergency Management Director Wanda Stafford said in a news release.

All residents along the Choctawhatchee River should closely monitor rising waters, as well as those individuals living along creeks and streams, and low-lying areas, Stafford warned. Friday morning, the National Weather Service posted a flood warning for Caryville and Bruce, both of which are in the Choctawhatchee River basin. As of Friday morning, the river was at 13.5 feet. Flood stage is 12 feet, according to the Weather Service.

At 16 feet, Highway 279 south of Caryville will be cut off.

?

Below is an earlier version of this story:

CHIPLEY ? A daylong deluge has left Washington and Holmes Counties fighting floods and more rain is on the way.

Several structures have been reported flooded in Vernon, and the Holmes County Emergency Management Director Wanda Stafford released a list of road closures in Holmes County.

In Holmes County:

Road Closures as of July 3 at 3 p.m.:

W.A. Clark Rd (at bridge)

Grover Lewis Rd (entire road)

Paulk Rd (entire road)

Tup McWaters Rd (West end at bridge)

CR 177A (at AL state line) not closed but water crossing on AL side

?

In Washington County, Moss Hill, Pioneer, Fanning Branch, Strickland Road, Highway 79, Dawkins Street, Highway 277, Clayton Road and Bryant Bay are all reported as having water over the roadway, according to Connie Welch of Washington County Emergency Management.

Carr, Bonner, Clemmons and Keenkutter roads are all closed, as are Lee, Bruner Dairy, Owens Community, Acy, Cook and Canes roads.

Union Hill Douglas Ferry and Spoolmill roads also report water over the roadway.

At 8:30 p.m. it was annouced that Spoolmill Road is now Closed from Highway 79 to Dawkins St.

All persons with interest along the Choctawhatchee River and low-lying flood prone areas should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take all necessary precautions to protect life, personal property, livestock, and pets.

?

In Vernon, a Red Cross Shelter is opening at Vernon High School for persons displaced by flooding.

Local Red Cross leadership, in coordination with Washington County Emergency Management is opening Vernon High School as a shelter for families that are impacted by flooding.? The shelter will open at 3 p.m.?

?Families coming to the shelter should remember to bring the following items:

1)???? Identification

2)???? Important medications

3)???? Personal hygiene and comfort items

4)???? Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows for sleeping

5)???? Foods for special dietary restrictions

6)???? Small games, books, etc. for children

?According to Red Cross Director, Bob Pearce, ?We are urging everyone to pay attention to local media and announcements from local governments regarding road closures and water levels in low lying areas. Avoid driving or walking through standing water.? Report all incidents of flooding to law enforcement or your local Emergency Management offices.? If you feel you are in immediate danger call 911.? Your safety and the safety of your loved ones is your most important consideration.?

Source: http://www.newsherald.com/news/flooding-hits-washington-county-1.167838

cheney heart transplant weather san diego unitarian new black panther party lost in space elizabeth banks battle royale