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Good morning!
Sorry this is out later than normal. I wanted to wait for the morning updates from NHC and Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox. Let’s get to it…
WEATHER
Hurricane Helene strengthens to Cat 2; Okaloosa expects rain and gusty winds
Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified into a Category 2 storm early Thursday, prompting urgent warnings for residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast to complete preparations as the powerful system approaches.
- As of 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Helene’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 100 mph. The storm was located about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and 365 miles south of Apalachicola, moving north-northeast at 12 mph.
Forecasters expect Helene to continue strengthening, likely becoming a major hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast Thursday evening or early Friday morning.
“Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this evening,” the NHC stated in its advisory this morning. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
A life-threatening storm surge warning is in effect for much of Florida’s west coast, from Mexico Beach to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. The NHC warns that water levels could reach 15 to 20 feet above ground in some areas between Carrabelle and the Suwannee River.
- Hurricane warnings extend from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, with tropical storm warnings covering a broader area including the Florida Keys and parts of Cuba.
Heavy rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding and urban flooding across the southeastern U.S., with 6 to 12 inches of rain forecast and isolated totals up to 18 inches possible. The NHC warns of significant river flooding and numerous landslides in the southern Appalachians.
The risk of tornadoes is increasing, particularly in northern Florida, southeast Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas.
In Okaloosa County, Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox reported that while the area is not under a tropical storm warning, residents should still expect periods of rain and gusty winds.
- “We’ll still experience periods of rain and gusty winds, but no tropical storm warning for Okaloosa at this time,” Maddox stated in a morning update. “This doesn’t mean a dry, sunny day for us.”
As Helene approaches, officials stress the importance of following evacuation orders and taking all necessary precautions to protect life and property.
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WEATHER
PAWS seeks animal foster homes due to flood-zone location in Fort Walton Beach
As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida, the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society is urgently seeking foster homes for hundreds of animals to keep them safe during the storm.
- PAWS, located at 752 Lovejoy Road NW in Fort Walton Beach, put out a call for emergency foster homes on Monday, Sept. 23, citing the shelter’s location in a flood zone.
By Tuesday, 12 animals had been placed in temporary homes, but more than 300 still remain at the shelter.
“We need to act FAST to get as many of our animals out of the shelter and into temporary foster homes ASAP,” PAWS stated in their initial appeal. The shelter emphasized that even short-term fostering for a few days could make a significant difference in keeping the animals safe during the hurricane.
PAWS is providing all necessary supplies for foster families, including food and guidance. The shelter is closed to the public Thursday, except for fosters, emergencies, animal control issues, and return to owner. But encourages potential fosters to stop by to sign up and be matched with an animal.
- “These sweet pets deserve to be safe, warm, and dry during the storm, and you can make that happen,” the shelter’s message read.
In a follow-up post on Tuesday, PAWS expressed gratitude for the community’s response while reiterating the ongoing need. “We are beyond grateful for the incredible support we received today,” the shelter stated, adding, “But our work isn’t done yet.”
Interested individuals can fill out a foster application on the PAWS website or visit the shelter in person to find a suitable foster match.
WEATHER
Okaloosa cities announce closures due to Hurricane Helene threat
Several municipalities across Okaloosa County have announced closures of government offices and facilities on Thursday, September 26, 2024, due to the impending threat of Hurricane Helene.
Okaloosa County offices will close at noon on Thursday, with plans to reopen Friday morning at the normal time.
The City of Fort Walton Beach has decided to close all its offices and facilities for the entire day on Thursday. Despite the closures, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Fire Department, and other essential city personnel will remain on duty to respond to emergencies throughout the day.
- “We expect to resume normal operating hours for all offices and facilities on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024,” the City of Fort Walton Beach stated.
In Destin, city offices and recreational facilities will close at noon on Thursday. The closures include City Hall, City Hall Annex, Community Center, Morgan Sports Center, Buck Destin Senior Center, Destin Public Library, and all public beach and park restrooms. The city noted that essential personnel will remain on duty.
The City of Crestview announced that all its facilities will be closed on Thursday, with plans to resume regular operating hours on Friday.
Niceville also joined in the precautionary measures, closing all city offices, facilities, and parks on September 26. The city emphasized that the safety of the community is their top priority and that emergency personnel will be on duty to monitor the storm.
All municipalities expect to return to normal operations on Friday, September 27, 2024, pending the impact of Hurricane Helene.
WEATHER
Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field move to mission essential operations ahead of Hurricane Helene
Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field are taking precautionary measures as Hurricane Helene approaches, with both installations moving to mission essential operations.
Eglin Air Force Base announced it will transition to a mission essential posture beginning at 6 a.m. on September 26 until further notice. The decision comes in response to potential weather conditions from Hurricane Helene.
- Most operations and services at Eglin will be closed or impacted. The 96th Medical Group’s Emergency Room and inpatient services will remain open, while all other medical facilities will be closed.
Several base amenities, including the Aero Club, Outdoor Recreation, Eglin Golf Course, honor guard, child development centers, and the youth center, will also shut down. The base commissary, dining facility, West Gate shoppette, and both shopette gas pumps will close at 3 p.m. on September 26.
Meanwhile, Hurlburt Field’s Installation Commander has ordered the base to operate with mission essential staffing only from 6 a.m. on September 26 until 10 a.m. on September 27, 2024. Unit commanders have been given discretion to determine which functions are mission essential for their respective units.
- At Hurlburt, all civilian employees and military members not designated as mission essential are expected to delay reporting for duty until 10 a.m. on Friday, September 27. Employees are instructed to stay in contact with their chain of command.
Both bases are urging personnel to maintain close contact with their leadership for information about their status and to monitor reliable weather sources for up-to-date information about the storm.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa County schools to close Thursday due to Hurricane Helene
Okaloosa County schools will be closed Thursday as Hurricane Helene heads toward Florida, officials announced Wednesday.
- The Okaloosa County School District said all schools and school-related activities will be canceled on September 26, 2024, due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Helene.
The decision came after consultation with Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety Patrick Maddox and monitoring updates from the National Weather Service.
“Hurricane Helene is expected to bring 2-4 inches of rain and tropical storm-force winds to the eastern portions of Okaloosa County,” the district stated. Officials emphasized that the closure is aimed at prioritizing the safety of students and employees.
The district plans to maintain communication with the county’s Emergency Operations Center to monitor the storm’s impact. Schools and related activities are expected to resume their regular schedule on Friday, September 27, barring any unforeseen developments.
Officials said they will provide further updates as needed through the district’s website, social media channels, and local media outlets. The district expressed appreciation for the community’s patience and understanding as they navigate the approaching weather conditions.
IN OTHER NEWS
State suspends surgeon’s license after fatal liver removal during spleen operation
The Florida Department of Health has suspended the medical license of Dr. Thomas J. Shaknovsky, an osteopathic physician, following two separate incidents of wrong-site surgeries, one of which resulted in a patient’s death, according to the state.
- State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued an emergency suspension order on September 24, 2024, citing Dr. Shaknovsky as an “immediate, serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.”
The order details two cases involving alleged surgical errors. In May 2023, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of the intended adrenal gland during an adrenalectomy. The patient suffered long-term, permanent harm as a result.
In the more recent case on August 21, 2024, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed the entire liver of William Bryan, 70, during what was supposed to be a splenectomy at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach. Mr. Bryan, who was visiting from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, died during the procedure.
Fort Walton Beach rejects fire consolidation study bid, tables discussion to December
The Fort Walton Beach City Council on Tuesday rejected a $57,000 bid for a fire department consolidation study and tabled further discussion until December.
- The council voted 4-3 to reject the proposal from Matrix Consulting Group and postpone the consolidation study discussion to its December meeting.
- In a separate 5-2 vote, council members directed staff to issue a new request for qualifications (RFQ) for a broader fire services study that would “review all available options” rather than focus on predetermined consolidation scenarios.
Councilman Travis Smith, who proposed the motion for a new RFQ, emphasized the need for a more open-ended study.
“I don’t want to spend the money to do a study and basically tell the person doing the study that you have to arrive at one of these three outcomes,” Smith said. “There’s probably at least 15 different types of consolidation that can happen.”
The consolidation study, initially proposed in April 2024 by Councilman David Schmidt, was meant to explore three potential scenarios: merging the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department with Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District (OCWFCD) under OCWFCD, merging under Fort Walton Beach, or forming a new consolidated fire district.
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