As County Recovers from May 10 Tornadoes, Service Changes for Florida Emancipation Day

As staff are reassigned to continue response and recovery related to the May 10 tornado event, all public-facing Leon County offices will be closed on Monday, May 20, 2024, in observance of Florida Emancipation Day. Disaster recovery activities will continue without interruption and around-the-clock.
For the latest emergency information and storm updates, visit the County’s Emergency Information Portal at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei.

Closed Monday, May 20

• Leon County offices
• Leon County libraries
• Leon County Solid Waste and Household Hazardous Waste Center
• Leon County Animal Control
• Leon County community centers

• Leon County Parks and Recreation facilities (parks, greenways, campgrounds, and boat landings)

Leon County Vegetative Debris Collection
Leon County will soon begin collecting curbside vegetative disaster debris for the unincorporated area of the county. Storm-related debris collection will begin Friday, May 17, with a second pass in late May or early June.

Collection will occur on both public and private roads in the unincorporated area.

For information on how best to organize debris and how to safely place materials at the curb, please review the included debris disposal guide.

Leon County Vegetative Debris Drop-Off
The Leon County Solid Waste Management Facility and all the Rural Waste Service Centers will return to normal operating hours on Sunday, May 19.

The County continues to offer free-of-charge residential yard and debris drop-off for all Leon County citizens at the Solid Waste Management Facility and all the Rural Waste Service Centers until further notice to further support the needs of our community.

For a list of hours and locations, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/RWSC. For questions regarding debris collection in the unincorporated area of Leon County, citizens can call 850-606-1500 or submit a request online at LeonCountyFL.gov/ServiceRequest.

Learn About Florida Emancipation Day with Library Resources
Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee-Leon County on May 20, 1865, eleven days after the end of the American Civil War and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed those enslaved in Southern states. The Proclamation was read by Union General Edward M. McCook from the steps of the Knott House, effectively ending slavery in the state of Florida.
In 2020, Leon County became the first county in Florida to officially recognize Florida Emancipation Day as a county holiday.

Through the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System, residents can learn something new about Florida’s history and the events that shaped our community with thematic book lists, movie watchlists, and other resources available. Visit LeonCountyFL.gov/EmancipationDay for more information.

Additional Service Information
All LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library branches, including the downtown Main Library, will resume regular operating hours on Tuesday, May 21.

Residential waste collection routes will be delayed one day for citizens whose normal pick-up day is during the holiday. For more information, call the Leon County Solid Waste Management Division at (850) 606-1800.

In the event of an animal-related emergency, service is available by calling the Consolidated Dispatch Agency at (850) 606-5800. Leon County Animal Control encourages residents to use this service only to report dangerous or aggressive dogs, sick or injured domestic animals, and animal cruelty. Injured wildlife calls will be forwarded to the St. Francis Wildlife Association at (850) 627-4151.

For more information, please contact Leon County Community and Media Relations at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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