Okaloosa County EOC has returned to Level 3 and is not activated. Logon to the Okaloosa County Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCounty) for additional details or email the Okaloosa County Public Information Office with questions at OCPIO@myokaloosa.com
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WINTER STORM 2025
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, the EOC will be at a level 2 partial activation with Emergency Management Staff monitoring storm conditions. Below is the latest information, the most recent posted toward the top.
Read Governor Desantis' EO 25-13, State of Emergency for the State of Florida >>
ROAD INFO
There are multiple ways to receive alerts for the most up-to-date road closure information.
โซ๏ธ>>>๐๐๐๐๐: For any road closure updates, text your zip code to 888777 to receive Nixle alerts.
โซ๏ธ>>> ๐
๐๐๐๐.๐๐จ๐ฆ >> https://fl511.com/
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS
Road Info Update ( Friday, Jan. 24, 2025)
Active delays. No closures reported.
E. Redstone Avenue has multiple heavy ice patches but is passable.
Poverty Creek/Painter Branch is icy but passable.
Stillwell between Valley and Brackin is icy but passable.
Airport Road and Dogwood at the curve is icy but passable.
U.S. Highway 90/Hwy 4 is icy but passable, travel slow
I-10 is open.
U.S. Highway 90 is open.
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Winter Weather Road Info Update - posted 01.23.25 - 9:15 a.m.
I-10 is still closed and U.S. Highway 90 has major traffic delays and congestions. A traffic accident involving a semi-truck this morning is complicating the movement of vehicles. Avoid this area.
Bridges are still iced over. PLEASE do not drive if you do not need to.
โ Impassible roads:
*Encourage to avoid
- Stillwell Blvd between Valley Rd. and Brackin St remains impassable and closed
- Hwy 90 (per Sheriff’s Office) ice is spread throughout with frequent blockages
- Hwy 393
- Hwy 4
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Winter Storm Update - posted Weds., Jan. 22, 2025 - 1p.m.
From Okaloosa Public Safety and NWS.
OVERVIEW/WHAT'S NEW: We have issued another Extreme Cold Warning which is in effect from 9 pm this evening until 9 am Thursday morning. Lots of snow and ice are on the roadways, and some melting which occurs today will result in sheets of ice tonight into Thursday morning. Don’t be lulled into a sense of security in seeing the sun doing its job and thinking the roads will be clear when the snow melts. It will re-freeze tonight. Be careful. If you don’t have to be on the road, don’t.
WHAT: Extreme Cold Warning for apparent temperature values down to around 10.
WHEN: From 9 am this evening through 9 am Thursday morning.
WHERE: The entire area.
CONFIDENCE: High.
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Road Conditions Update - 01.22.25
PLEASE STAY OFF OF THE ROADS
Icy conditions have caused dangerous driving conditions. Please remain off of the roads unless absolutely necessary. Below are the current closures according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office which has deputies out and about this morning.
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- I-10
- Overpass on SR 85 in Crestview near Chestnut Avenue.
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Update: Posted Tues. Jan. 21, 2025 - 1:30 p.m.
Our Public Safety staff works around the clock to keep us safe and informed. As the winter weather descends upon us, our Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox wanted to share his thoughts as staff monitors the storm.
๐บ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐ด๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐โ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ , ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ โ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ข๐โ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐- ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ฆ๐ . ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ/๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐. ๐น๐ท๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐คโ๐๐โ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ข๐โ โ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐๐. ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐โ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐น๐ฟ511.๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ . ๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐’๐ก โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐- ๐๐๐’๐ก. ๐๐’๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐๐ข๐โ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐- ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐กโ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ . - Patrick Maddox, Director of Okaloosa County Public Safety.
Want the most up-to-date road info? There are multiple ways to receive alerts for the most up-to-date road closure information.
>>>๐๐๐๐๐: For any road closure updates, text your zip code to 888777 to receive Nixle alerts. Stay safe!
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Update posted Tues. Jan. 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service has updated the expected snowfall amounts. Travel is strongly discouraged throughout the day.
Update posted Tues., Jan. 21, 2025 at 8 a.m.
WHAT'S NEW: No significant changes since yesterday afternoon's briefing. Snow totals have been adjusted slightly.
Key Messages:
· A potentially historic snow event is possible across the southern half of the area, especially for areas along the coast.
· Major impacts are expected across the entire area, even across locations that receive minor accumulations.
· This event is expected to be primarily snow; however, there could be some sleet that tries to mix in across the FL Panhandle.
· Patchy light snow may start by 6am across southwest Alabama and southeast Mississippi and as early as 9am further east across south central AL and the NW FL Panhandle. The heaviest accumulations are expected late morning through the afternoon.
· Temperatures will drop into the teens and low 20s Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
· Highs Wednesday will only reach the mid to upper 30s, so it is likely snow/ice on roads and bridges will still be a concern for Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Mostly clear skies on Wednesday may help to melt some of the snow/ice on area roadways, but any residual moisture will refreeze at night.
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Winter Storm Weather Information Roundup - Closures/info
Okaloosa County Public Safety staff is continuously monitoring the incoming winter storm and is in regular communication with all pertinent County departments and agencies. Please monitor official news and official agency communications. We have compiled information from other agencies and stakeholders in Okaloosa County. If you have questions beyond what is listed, please reach out to that specific agency.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ -
https://myokaloosa.com/ - email: OCPIO@myokaloosa.com
- Okaloosa County Administration offices will be closed, Jan. 21-22 along with operations involving non-essential personnel due to the risk of road conditions.
- Regularly Scheduled Board of County Commissioners Meeting- The Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 has been cancelled.
- Okaloosa County Water & Sewer customer service office is closed Mon-Wed due to MLK Holiday and the winter storm. They will reopen Thursday at 8:30am. For emergencies, the public can call 850-651-7174.
- Florida Department of Transportation pre-treatment and de-icing agents have been loaded to be deployed based on identified need. Plows are being mounted to truck for potential use, FODT Road Rangers have begun overnight patrolling of I-10. FDOT is also coordinating with Florida Highway Patrol for enhanced bridge monitoring and traffic control. Okaloosa County Public Works crews will use sand on County maintained roads if necessary. There are currently no road or bridge closures planned ahead of the storm. Conditions will be monitored. Stay tuned to official sources for updated information.
Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21-22. Animal Control Officers will be on call for emergencies and available to help residents find lost animals. 850-243-1525 ext. 106 - animalcontrol@paws-shelter.org
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South County: Open through Saturday Night (Sunday, January 19th through January 25th).
850-586-7879
1564 Percy L. Coleman Rd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Pickup location is located at 205 Shell Ave, starting shuttle service at 3:15 pm ONE trip will be made. Returning transportation will be the following morning at 8:00 am.
*Note: backpacks are allowed, however, no wagons, bikes or suitcases are allowed on the bus.
North County: Open through Saturday Night (January 19th-January 25th)
850-398-5670
120 Duggan Ave, Crestview, FL.
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๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ -
https://www.govote-okaloosa.com/Supervisor of Elections office and Early Voting will be closed both Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd. Office hours and Early Voting are currently scheduled to resume at 7am, Thursday, January 23rd.
Okaloosa County Clerk's office will be CLOSED on Tuesday & Wednesday, January 21 & 22. At this time, they are scheduled to re-open on Thursday, January 23rd.
School and extracurricular activities are canceled on Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd. According to OCSD they expect school to resume on Thursday, January 23rd.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ - ๐๐ค๐๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ฑ.๐๐จ๐ฆ
All locations will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21st and Wednesday, Jan. 22nd. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, Jan. 23rd.
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Here is the latest trash/recycling/household hazardous waste/landfill information:
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***All scenarios are contingent upon weather, road and bridge conditions and transfer station availability.***
WM residential service is scheduled to begin routes early Tuesday morning to get ahead of the winter storm. Wednesday service is currently scheduled for a late start. This is based on today’s forecast but could change. In the event our trucks can’t run, make up service for residential customers with once-per-week garbage will be pushed one day. For twice-per-week garbage customers, service will resume on their next service day.
๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ณ๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐
• Wright Landfill will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and reopen Thursday
The Courts will be closed Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. Walton County Courts will be open until noon on Tuesday, and will be closed Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, January 22. More information will be posted when available at
firstjudicialcircuit.org.
From NWS and Okaloosa Public Safety.
OVERVIEW/WHAT'S NEW: There are no significant changes to the impacts and messaging we provided on this morning's webinar. There have been adjustments to the snow totals to bring higher totals all the way to the coast - 2-4” all the way to the coast with 5” possible in the heaviest band. Here are the key points we would like to reiterate:
• A potentially historic snow event is possible across the southern half of the area, especially for areas along the coast.
• Major impacts are expected across the entire area, even across locations that receive minor accumulations.
• We are looking at a primarily snow event. There could be some sleet that tries to mix in across the FL Panhandle, but even there it appears snow is most likely.
• Patchy light snow may start by 6am across southwest Alabama and southeast Mississippi and as early as 9am further east across south-central AL and the NW FL Panhandle. The heaviest accumulations are expected late morning through the afternoon.
• Temperatures will drop into the teens and low 20s Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with highs Wednesday only reaching the mid to upper 30s, so it is likely snow/ice on roads and bridges will still be a concern for Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
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Severe Weather Resources:
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