WAKULLA COUNTY DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Interagency Situation Report #5
Tropical Storm Debby
June 27, 2012 08:00 EDT
I.
HAZARD ANALYSIS:
General Weather Forecast:
Hot and dry atmospheric conditions over the course of the week will allow low-lying areas with
standing water to dry significantly. The next notable chance for any rain is next Monday, July 2
(20%). Temperatures will reach the high 90’s this weekend. Heat advisories are possible.
Recovery workers and survivors should exercise caution to avoid heat exhaustion while working
outdoors.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North northeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Winds
could gust as high as 20 mph.
Mostly
Rivers Forecast:
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:
34
Moderate Flood Stage: 30
Flood Stage:
28
Action Stage:
20
Historical Crests
(1) 31.23 ft on 04/04/2009
(2) 29.60 ft on 08/25/2008
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:
11
Moderate Flood Stage: 9
Flood Stage:
7
Action Stage:
7
Historical Crests
(1) 13.88 ft on 08/25/2008
(2) 11.81 ft on 04/07/1973
(3) 11.18 ft on 03/05/1991
(4) 10.26 ft on 04/10/1984
(5) 10.01 ft on 09/18/1957
Show More Historical Crests
Local Impacts:
Low-level sheet flow flooding is expected to drain and/or dry up rapidly.
The primary ongoing concern is flooding along waterways (creeks and rivers). However, all of
the major waterways (Sopchoppy and St. Marks Rivers) have crested and will begin to fall
slowly through the weekend. Lost Creek appears to be slowly rising on the south end. Swirl
Sink and Lost Creek Sinks appear to be overflowing.
Road Closures:
Current road closures due to flooding, damage, and/or bridge damage:
- Smith Creek Rd @Syfrette Creek Bridge
- Harms Road
- Hwy 98 in Panacea (1 lane only)
- Harvey Mill Road / Lawhon Mill Road
- Whiddon Lake Road @ Jump Creek
- JK Moore Road @ end of pavement
- Donaldson Williams Road
- Surf Road @ Buckhorn Creek
- Bostic Pelt Road
- Edgar Poole Road near Jack Crum Rd
- Lonesome Road
- Forest Road 13 @ end of pavement
- Hwy 319 between Medart and Sopchoppy
(partially covered with water but open)
II. RESPONSE ACTIONS:
Priorities / Objectives / Major Status:
- The county is still responding to issues related to lingering low-lying and river flooding,
particularly in Sopchoppy. Initial emergency response activities (e.g. evacuations, search and
rescue) are dwindling. Emergency response assets will be right-sized today.
- The transition to recovery activities, including human services and damage assessment begins
today.
- There are no current mandatory evacuation or restricted travel orders in effect. As long as the
roadway is clear, it is open for public access.
- Approximately 75 residences have been impacted to some degree to date: 2 due to trees fallen
on structure, the remainder due to flooding.
- Residents are encouraged to contact the Wakulla County Emergency Management to report any
damages, regardless if they require assistance. This information will be utilized in determining
the needs for federal disaster and/or non-profit organization assistance.
Agency-specific Actions:
A.
Wakulla County Administration:
 Emergency Declaration has been signed.
 Assisting with Damage Assessment in Sopchoppy.
B.
Wakulla County Schools:
 Summer school reopened.
C.
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management:
 Right-sizing emergency response assets
 Distribution of state-provided bottled water and shelf-stable means.
 Participating in coordination conference calls with the State Division of
Emergency Management county agencies, city agencies, and supporting
non-governmental entities
 Assessing damage countywide
 EOC is online and currently activated to a level 1
 Coordinating resources
 Coordinating Damage Assessment
 Developing recovery objectives and priorities, including potential requests
for federal/state damage assessment and human services.
D.
Wakulla Public Works Office:
 Tree removal
 Road repairs
 Sinkholes
E.
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office:
 Filling additional sand bags
 Assisting with rescue and maintaining traffic control points

Providing saw crews
F.
Wakulla Agricultural Extension Service:
 On standby
G.
Wakulla County Department of Health:
 Monitoring special needs
 Monitoring environmental health needs (disease control, mosquitos)
H.
Wakulla County Fire
 Back to normal operations
 Staffing EOC
I.
Wakulla EMS
 Planning and right-sizing for road closures (e.g. alternate response routes)
J.
Florida Highway Patrol
 Maintaining traffic control points.
 Right-sizing staffing today.
K.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
 Providing swift water rescue.
 Right-sizing staffing today.
L.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
 Liaison in EOC
M.
Red Cross
 Managing Shelter Operations at Crawfordville Elementary (Current
population: 5)
 Begin bulk distribution of meals and clean-up kits
 Conducting client needs assessment
N.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
 SERT Liaison (FDEM Region 2 Coordinator) in EOC.
 22 pallets of bottled water received.
 22 pallets of meals received.
O.
Florida Department of Transportation
 Liaison in EOC
 Monitoring state road conditions.
 Standing by to conduct structural inspections on two bridges over the
Sopchoppy River (Smith Creek Road, CR-22).
 Standing by to develop a temporary bridge plan for Sopchoppy should
inspections deem aforementioned bridges damaged.
P.
Florida National Guard
 High-wheeled vehicle support for damage assessment and rescue
Q.
Progress Energy
 Current Outages: 524
 Crews conducting repairs where possible. Some flooded properties cannot be
repaired until water recedes
R.
Talquin Electric Cooperative
 Current Outages: 0 members
 Response operations complete
S.
Florida State University
 Emergency Manager assisting with EOC operations
Response Statistics (storm total to date):
- Impacted residences: Approximately 75, of varying degrees.
- Impacted businesses: 1 major damage.
- Shelter population: Current 5, Peak 21.
- 17 water rescues, 67 people rescued.
- 126 responses for trees down.
- 86 responses for power lines down.
- 42 traffic control points for flooded roadways.
State of Florida Status:
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is currently at a level 1 full activation.
Governor’s Executive Order #12-140 declaring a State of Emergency is in effect.
III. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE:
General Assistance:
Wakulla County Division of Emergency Management
(850)745-7100