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Good morning!

We have a lot of news to cover this morning so let’s get to it…

WEATHER

NHC issues first advisory for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine as it threatens Gulf Coast

NHC

The National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory Monday for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, located about 130 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. The system is expected to intensify as it travels northward across the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Forecasters predict the cyclone will reach hurricane strength by Wednesday and could become a major hurricane before reaching the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along portions of the northern and northeastern Gulf Coast, including the Florida Panhandle and portions of the Florida west coast,” the hurricane center warned in their public advisory.

As of 11 a.m. EDT Monday, the disturbance had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It was moving north at 6 mph, with a shift to a northwestward motion expected Tuesday.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba, including the Isle of Youth. Hurricane watches are in effect for portions of Mexico’s east coast and Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province.

  • The system is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to the western Caribbean, with 4 to 8 inches expected over western Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Isolated areas could see up to 12 inches, creating a risk of flash flooding and mudslides.

Storm surge could raise water levels by 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in parts of western Cuba and along Mexico’s eastern Yucatan Peninsula coast.

As the cyclone moves northward, heavy rainfall is expected to spread into the southeastern United States starting Wednesday, bringing a risk of flash and river flooding, according to NHC.

The National Hurricane Center urged residents in potentially affected areas to monitor forecast updates and ensure they have hurricane plans in place. While the exact location and magnitude of impacts remain uncertain, officials emphasized the importance of preparedness given the system’s potential for rapid intensification.

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WEATHER

Okaloosa, Destin makes sandbags available as tropical system approaches

City of Fort Walton Beach Public Information Office

Okaloosa County and the City of Destin announced Monday that self-service sand and sandbags will be accessible starting at noon on September 23 and will remain available until the storm threat passes.

Residents can obtain sandbags at these locations:

  • Stillwell Park, 710 Essex Rd., Ft. Walton Beach
    Public Works North, 1759 S Ferdon Blvd., Crestview (enter on Goodwin Avenue side)
  • 3949 Commons Drive, Destin. (Limit of 10 sandbags per residence.)

Officials emphasized that the sandbags are intended for residential use only, not for commercial entities.

This local response comes as the National Hurricane Center forecasts the system to intensify, potentially becoming a major hurricane before reaching the northeastern Gulf Coast later in the week.

MILITARY

Eglin AFB postpones joint ‘mass casualty’ exercise due to potential storm

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Scott, an emergency medical technician with the 96th Medical Group, and Eglin firefighters move a victim of a simulated aircraft fire onto a stretcher during a mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The 96th Test Wing announced Monday that the exercise, originally set for September 25, will be rescheduled.

  • As a resultthe planned closure of General Bond Boulevard from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday has been canceled.

“Eglin is dedicated to prioritizing the safety and security of all base personnel, and will continue to monitor and respond appropriately to any upcoming weather conditions,” base officials stated.

The exercise was designed to evaluate the wing’s ability to coordinate with multiple agencies, both on and off base, during an emergency scenario. Its purpose was to test command, control, and coordination capabilities in response to a simulated aircraft accident with mass casualties.

The postponement comes as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine approaches the Gulf Coast, prompting preparations across the region.

Base officials have not announced a new date for the exercise. They emphasized that the decision to postpone was made in the interest of safety, given the uncertain weather conditions expected later in the week.

PUBLIC WORKS

Okaloosa approves $41.6M contract for Shoal River Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

Okaloosa County Public Information Office

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a $41.6 million contract last Tuesday to construct a new wastewater treatment plant that officials say is crucial for future growth in the north end of the county.

  • The board voted to award the contract to J&P Construction Co. to build the Shoal River Ranch Water Reclamation Facility, which will have an initial capacity of 1.25 million gallons per day and be expandable up to 10 million gallons per day.

Water and Sewer Director Michael Hackett said the plant has been “a long time in the making” and will be critical for industrial and residential growth in the area.

“Even from an environmental standpoint, this project will allow us to be less reliant on septic systems for future growth,” Hackett told commissioners.

The facility will be built on a 20-acre site and is designed to produce reuse water. Hackett said the plant’s expandable design will save money on future expansions.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles praised the project as the county “leaning forward” to accommodate growth pressures in the north end of Okaloosa County.

  • “When you’re staying ahead of things, sometimes you’re going to have people that are going to point their finger and go, ‘Why are you building that now?‘” Boyles said. “Those are the same folks who would be pointing their finger in 10 years going, ‘Why didn’t you build that 10 years ago?‘”

The contract includes a $750,000 contingency for unanticipated costs. Construction is expected to be substantially completed within 710 days, with an additional 90 days allowed for final completion.

Approximately $28 million of the project has been grant-funded through various sources, including federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, RESTORE Act funds, and a state appropriation.

The board amended the contract to increase liquidated damages for delays from $250 per day to $1,000 per day at Boyles’ request. Commissioners also directed staff to develop a unified policy for calculating liquidated damages on future county contracts.

A MESSAGE FROM VISIT DESTIN-FWB

Okaloosa Pro Rodeo Rides into Baker

Saddle up for the Okaloosa Pro Rodeo, galloping into Baker, FL this October. Step One Automotive presents two nights of PRCA-sanctioned action at the Baker Recreation Center on October 4th and 5th.

  • Gates open at 6 PM, with the main event kicking off at 7:30 PM both nights. Expect a “spectacular show” featuring bull riding, vendors, and fun games for all ages. Don’t miss your chance to try the mechanical bull!

Your ticket does double duty – you’ll enjoy top-notch entertainment while supporting the Baker Gatorettes and Cheer Team. For more details, click here.

NEWS

Okaloosa adopts ordinance prohibiting public camping and sleeping on county property

📸 FWBPD

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, September 17, to adopt an ordinance prohibiting public camping and sleeping on county-owned property, including buildings, grounds, rights-of-way, and sidewalks.

  • The ordinance, presented by Kerry Parsons, Chief Deputy County Attorney, aims to comply with recently passed state legislation (Chapter No. 2024-11, Laws of Florida) that makes it impermissible for counties and municipalities to authorize or allow public camping or sleeping on public property, except in specific circumstances such as designated recreational uses.

“The new law places an obligation on counties and cities to proactively avoid violations,” Parsons explained during the meeting. “Failure to do so subjects counties and municipalities to civil actions by residents, business owners, or the Attorney General.”

The ordinance amends existing county code and adds new sections to explicitly prohibit public camping and sleeping as defined by the state statute. It also authorizes law enforcement to remove individuals violating these prohibitions in accordance with Florida’s trespass laws.

Parsons noted that the county had been monitoring a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging similar restrictions in Oregon. In June 2024, the Court ruled in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson that such laws are constitutional and do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment against homeless individuals.

Commissioners engaged in a lengthy discussion about the ordinance’s implications, enforcement, and its relation to broader issues of homelessness in the county. Commissioner Trey Goodwin emphasized the need for uniformity across municipalities within Okaloosa County and suggested coordinating with city attorneys on similar ordinances, which gained consensus. 

  • He also raised concerns about the cost of enforcement, noting that it would require additional funding for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and potentially lead to increased use of the county correctional facility.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles expressed frustration with the state legislature’s approach, stating, “We’re not doing this because there’s been some instantaneous need in Okaloosa county to adopt an ordinance in this fashion. We’re going to adopt this thing because it’s simply a preemptive measure to attempt to be in compliance and avoid unnecessary litigation that would be a distraction for our county.”

The board also approved a letter to the Sheriff’s office authorizing enforcement of the new provisions. While the ordinance takes effect immediately, civil actions under the state law cannot be brought until January 1, 2025.

Commissioner Paul Mixon noted that the county has over 120 funded homeless beds, stating, “We shouldn’t be in the business of trying to attract and house the homeless. We should be in the business of trying to help them get out of homelessness.”

The ordinance comes as part of a broader statewide effort to address public camping and homelessness. Parsons mentioned that the Florida Council on Homelessness had submitted a study to the legislature in June, requesting various funding mechanisms for enforcement and affordable housing initiatives.

AQUA ALERT

Deputies, Coast Guard search for missing diver off Destin coast

Source: Justine Sauvageau

Authorities are searching for a missing diver who disappeared off the coast of Destin, Florida, on Sunday afternoon.

  • Jeremy Carmical, 31, was last seen around 1 p.m. on September 22, 2024, approximately 12 miles offshore and 17 miles southwest of the Destin Pass. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued an Aqua Alert with Carmical’s last known coordinates: 30°11.925N 086°46.395W.

Carmical is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds. He was wearing a camo wetsuit and had a neon orange dive tank when he went missing.

The United Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the search efforts. They urge anyone who spots the missing diver to contact them immediately.

A call for volunteers with offshore-capable boats was issued on Sunday night to assist in the search and rescue operation. Volunteers met at Harborwalk Marina in Destin at 6:45 a.m. Monday morning.

  • Today, there is another push to locate Carmical ahead of the incoming storm, led by Joey Sauvageau. The group will again meet at Harborwalk Marina in Destin at 7:00 a.m. and head out to continue the search. The search team will be monitoring VHF channels 10 and 16 for communication.
  • On land, there will also be a search along the beach. Participants can meet at the Okaloosa Island Pier this morning for further instruction.

Those willing to help in the search are encouraged to contact the United Cajun Navy (UCN) coordinators Joey Sauvageu at 850-420-5502 or Kevin LaFond at 251-419-4890.

OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!

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