HURRICANE UPDATE PAGE

8:10 a.m. 8/5/24 - St. George Island and Sunset Beach have been spared from the storm once again! The storm is moving northeast toward Savannah, GA. The Homeowner's Association (HPC) is discussing future storm preparations any and all ideas/suggestions are appreciated. The next HPC meeting is scheduled for August 19 at 10:30 a.m. via conference call (804-401-1063, access code: 4261472#); all owners are welcome to join. Currently, the Blue Parrot camera shows a typical day in paradise. Have a great week!

Hurricane Debby made landfall in Steinhatchee, FL at 7:00 AM this morning as a Cat 1 hurricane. At this time, Franklin County is resending the mandatory evacuation for all barrier islands (St. George Island, Dog Island and Alligator Point), low-lying and flood-prone areas especially along the coast and rivers, and RV parks.

A great resource for St. George tides….  

https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/florida/st-george-island-sikes-cut-fl/tides/

12:38 p.m. 8/4/24

Your HPC had a conference call this morning regarding Debby (tropical storm/impending hurricane). Robin and her team were on site again this morning, putting out the utility markers, securing the elevator on the 2nd floor, and checking on the gates (which will open if the power goes out, or Robin may have opened them regardless). Pool furniture has been moved and secured.  Management companies have been down and secured outdoor furniture, etc., for owners.  Rob (pool company) was down last night to do what is necessary for the pool.  Owners who don't rent and have furniture, etc., that need to be secured have been contacted via text.   

With landfall expected around 2:00 a.m. on 8/5/24, the HPC will meet again tomorrow via conference call at 8:00 a.m. EDT. After that call, an update will be added to the website.  

As a precautionary measure, the heavy equipment operators will be contacted to ensure they are ready to help if needed.   

The Hurricane Update page is being updated as updates are received from Franklin County.  

The link to the camera to the St. George Bridge is on the website.  It is included here as well (click on Live View):

https://franklin.weatherstem.com/sgibridge#:~:text=Bridge%20Camera%20%7C%20%7C%20%7C%20%7C%205.33%C2%B0,Camera%20%7C%20%7C%20%7C%20%7C%203.98%C2%B0%2091.00%C2%B0 

We have prepared for the worst, and we HOPE FOR THE BEST!!

11:00 am update 8/4/24
Tropical Storm Debby Advisory
Franklin County Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Debby. The storm is predicted to become a CAT 1 Hurricane prior to landfall. Franklin County is now under a Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning, as well as a Hurricane and Flash Flood Watch. We are expected to receive 2-8 inches of rain, 3-5 feet of surge, and winds 58 - 73 mph. TS Debby is expected to make landfall Monday, but we will likely feel the effects as early as Sunday evening through Monday.

Franklin County is under mandatory evacuation for all barrier islands (St. George Island, Dog Island, and Alligator Point), low-lying and flood-prone areas especially along the coast and rivers, and RV parks effective 6:00 AM, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Additional evacuations may be issued if there are changes in storm track or intensity.

If you feel unsafe then do not shelter at home, leave until the storm has passed and then return. Now is the time to decide to shelter in place or evacuate. Keep in mind shelters are a means of last resort if you have an alternative place to stay that is safe from the storm, that is recommended. When evacuating, use caution on roads including Hwy 67. Remember that if you have health concerns, EMS will not be able to respond if wind speeds reach 40 mph sustained. It is unsafe for ambulances to be dispatched in high winds. Please make sure your preparations have been made to secure your home and your disaster kit is ready.
Franklin County Schools will be closed on Monday, 8/5/24, employees will not be present.
County Government offices will be closed on Monday, 8/5/24. The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 8/06/24, will be postponed until Thursday, 8/8/24, at 9:00 AM.
Buy Rite Pharmacy will be closed Monday, 8/5/24.

Please be safe and continue to monitor the local news, WOYS, and Franklin County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.
Franklin County Evacuation Issued and TS Debby Update
TROPICAL STORM DEBBY
Franklin County Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Debby. The storm is predicted to become a CAT 1 Hurricane prior to landfall. Franklin County is now under a Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning, as well as a Hurricane and Flash Flood Watch. We are expected to receive 2-6 inches of rain, 3-5 feet of surge and winds 58 - 73 mph. TS Debby is expected to make landfall Monday, but we are likely to feel the effects as early as Sunday evening through Monday.

Franklin County will be issuing a mandatory evacuation for all barrier island (St. George Island, Dog Island and Alligator Point), low lying and flood prone areas especially along the coast and rivers, and RV parks effective 6:00AM, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Additional evacuations may be issued if there are changes in storm track or intensity.

If you feel unsafe then do not shelter at home, leave until the storm has passed and then return. Remember that if you have health concerns, that EMS will not be able to respond if wind speeds reach 40 mph sustained. It is unsafe for ambulances to be dispatched in high winds.

Please make sure your preparations have been made to secure your home and your disaster kit is ready.

Franklin County Schools will be closed on Monday 8/5/24, employees will not be present.
County Government offices will be closed on Monday 8/5/24. The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 8/06/24 will be postponed until Thursday 8/8/24 at 9:00am.

Please continue to monitor the local news, WOYS, and Franklin County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.

Jennifer Daniels, FPEM
Director
Franklin County Emergency Management
Reply with YES to confirm receipt or https://evb.gg/0eq0Ci9I

Your HPC is monitoring Tropical Depression 4 and will update this page as needed.  

Hurricane season is officially underway and this year is being forecast as particularly active.  
Please navigate to the Hurricane Preparedness tab on the side bar for detailed information on our Sunset Beach strategic plan in the event of a named storm and other helpful information. 
The Hurricane Preparedness Committee meets monthly leading in to peak season and is currently meeting every three weeks. 

The  next scheduled meeting is Monday, August 19th, at 10:30am EDT via conference call. Our Community Association Manager, Kathy, will send an email reminder ahead of this meeting including call in information.  In the event of a named storm in the Gulf with a likelihood of affecting our area, a special meeting will be called. 

You may be interested in downloading the apps below to stay on top of any storm.  

• for power outages and alerts download the Duke Energy app
• to stay on top of possible internet interruptions download the Mediacom Connect Mobile Care app
• Franklin County sheriff has their own app for local alerts
• for local storm alerts and safety information download the Everbridge app
• NOAA/ National Hurricane Center has a great app for thorough meteorological information 

Remember to keep all your account numbers, login information, insurance policy numbers, and phone numbers somewhere easily accessible. 

Stay tuned to our SBOA website for all pertinent homeowner updates

The content below is notes of action taken and pictures during Hurricane Idalia last summer:

Pictures taken after Idalia on 8/30/2023








Update:  Evacuation order rescinded.  10:45 a.m. 8/30/2023

Update:  10:30 a.m. 8/29/2023
Due to the Shifting of the track, Effective 10:30AM, Tuesday, August 29, 2023, a Voluntary Evacuation of Franklin County has been issued. Additional evacuations may be issued after the 3:00PM update.
The Mandatory Evacuation of all Barrier Islands, Low Lying Areas, Mobile Homes, and RV Parks is still in effect. All evacuations apply to residents and non-residents alike.
If you are electricity dependent for your medical equipment or if you feel unsafe then do not shelter at home, leave until the storm has passed and then return. The current track suggests that this storm will be out of our county by tomorrow afternoon.
Please keep in mind when making plans to evacuate or to shelter in place, when the winds hit a sustained 45 mph bridges will close until it is deemed safe to travel. St. George Island and Alligator Point, you have only one access route in and out. If this route is compromised or closed, EMS or Responders will not be able to assist you. If you have life threatening medical conditions, please make arrangements now. Don’t Wait. Evacuate.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO A SHELTER. PLEASE SEE BELOW:
We are providing transportation via bus to the Leon County Shelter today only. Pickup locations and times are as follows:
Apalachicola ABC School 12:00 Noon
Eastpoint Emerald Coast Bank (Next to Taylors) 12:30 PM
Carrabelle Carrabelle Library 1:00 PM
Lanark Village Chillas Hall 1:15 PM
The bus may run a few mins behind due to amounts of passengers loading at each location. Please wait. You will be transported to a LEON COUNTY SHELTER. Due to the speed of this Storm we will only have time to run this bus once. Please do not miss the scheduled pickup time. Bring everything you need with you to the shelter. Meds, Food, Clothing, etc.
Franklin County Schools will be closed on Tuesday 08/29/23 and Wednesday 08/30/23.
County Government offices will be closed on Tuesday 08/29/23 at Noon and all day Wednesday 08/30/23.
Sandbag locations are now closed.
Remember, DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH STANDING WATER OR OVER-DOWNED POWER LINES.
Please continue to monitor the local news, WOYS, and Franklin County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.


MANDATORY EVACUATION  8/29/2023 6:00 a.m.

Franklin County Emergency Management is still monitoring Hurricane Idalia. Franklin County issued a Mandatory Evacuation of all Barrier Islands, Lying Areas, Mobile Homes, and RV Parks. Additional evacuations may be issued if there are changes in storm track or intensity.


8/28/2023
6:20 p.m.
Sunset Beach Owners,

Check the Sunset Beach website for updates from the HOA.  https://www.sunsetbeachoa.com/

Wanted to update you all on Hurricane Idalia and the efforts Sunset Beach has taken to date.  The HPC (Hurricane Preparedness Committee) met this afternoon and reviewed the actions taken.

Following the HPC Plan, Kathy and Robin have secured the pool furniture, and staked the utilities (please do not remove the stakes, we will get them after the storm).  The gates are open and will remain open until after the storm and the power has been returned.  The irrigation breaker has been turned off.  The elevator is on the second floor. and power off to it as well.  The updated HPC manual is in the office.    Rob with Superior Coast Pools will make a determination tomorrow if he needs to turn the pool and equipment off.  The HPC will be meeting again tomorrow to determine the next steps to be taken.