09/25/2024
GADSDEN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES MANDATORY EMERGENCY EVACUATION FOR GADSDEN COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO RESIDE IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS, UNSECURED STRUCTURES, AND MOBILE AND MANUFACTURED HOMES
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla- -Today, Gadsden County Department of Emergency Management Director Tashonda Whaley issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents who reside in flood-prone areas, unsecured structures, and mobile/manufactured homes.
Residents who reside in these areas are encouraged to take shelter in designated Gadsden County Emergency shelters or with friends or family members.
The mandatory evacuation takes effect immediately today. Residents should be in a safe location by 4 p.m. Thursday, September 26.
"Gadsden County residents must take this storm seriously," Whaley emphasized. "Tropical Storm Helene is expected to have a devastating impact Gadsden County and pose a life-threatening and catastrophic threat, similar to Hurricane Michael in 2018. Immediate evacuation is necessary for residents in flood-prone areas, unsecured structures, and mobile/manufactured homes to ensure their safety."
The following shelters will open today at 4 p.m. in Quincy.
Gadsden County High School (General)
27001 Blue Star Highway
Havana, FL 32333
Gadsden County High School (Special Needs and Pets)
27001 Blue Star Highway
Havana, FL 32333
West Gadsden Middle (General)
200 Providence Rd
Quincy, FL 32351
The Gadsden High School Shelter will also serve as a special needs shelter and pet Shelter. Pet owners who bring their pets to the shelter must bring a crate, medication, food, a leash, necessary supplies, and a copy of their pet’s current vaccination records.
If needed, shelter transportation will be provided by Gadsden County School Transportation and Big Bend Transits to Gadsden County residents from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. today.
Havana
Harvey’s Supermarket
102 1st Avenue East
Midway
Midway City Hall
50 Martin Luther King Blvd
Quincy
Piggly Wiggly
18680 Blue Star Highway (General)
Rose’s and Citi Trends Parking Lot
1323 West Crawford Street
CRMC Gadsden Campus (Hospital)
23186 Blue Star Highway
Greensboro
Sawdust Community Park
3355 Providence Road
Greensboro Elementary School
559 Greensboro Highway
Gretna
Gretna City Hall
14615 Main Street
Oak Grove Church
3510 Atwater Road
Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee Elementary School
335 Maple Street
When preparing to go to an evacuation shelter during a storm, you should bring:
• Food and water: At least one gallon of drinking water per person daily for 14 days and non-perishable food for 14 days. You can also bring high-energy snacks like granola bars, trail mix, and peanut butter. If you have dietary restrictions, bring special diet foods.
• Clothing and bedding: Bring extra clothes and shoes, as well as sleeping materials like a blanket, pillow, and sleeping bag. You can also bring a portable lounge chair or a folding beach chair.
• Important documents: Bring identification, medical records, insurance information, deeds or leases, birth certificates, and utility bills. You can also bring photocopies of crucial documents.
• Personal hygiene items: Bring toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, towels, brush, comb, dentures, glasses, eye drops, hearing aids, and batteries.
• Entertainment: Bring quiet games, books, playing cards, or other items for entertainment.
• Medications: Bring prescription and emergency medications.
• Pet supplies: If you have a pet, bring a crate, food, water, litter, treats, cleaning supplies, and medicines. Your pet must be on a leash or in a carrier.
First Responders, including the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Emergency Medical Services, or Gadsden County Fire, will not respond to emergency calls once winds reach 35 miles per hour. Calls will still be accepted by dispatch and the Emergency Operation Center; however, response will only resume once conditions are safe.
Residents requiring more information or assistance should call Gadsden County Emergency Management at (850) 875-8903 or 850 875-8930. Additionally, residents can sign up for emergency text alerts at Text AlertGadsden to 888777 for accurate and up-to-date weather and emergency alerts.
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