Leon County Declares Local State of Emergency as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
Heavy rain and flooding are the primary threats for Leon County
Leon County has declared a local state of emergency as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast. Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban signed the Local Emergency Proclamation on Thursday, Oct. 8, after the National Weather Service in Tallahassee extended a Tropical Storm Warning to Leon County.
“I have declared a local state of emergency for Leon County to ensure we have every tool and resource we need to prepare for Hurricane Isaias and to respond quickly to its impacts,” Chairman Caban said. “Our Emergency Management team is working hand in hand with the National Weather Service, the State of Florida and our local partners, and County crews are already in the field preparing for flooding. For our community, the most significant threat from this storm is heavy rain on ground that is already saturated. Finish your preparations by midday Friday, stay informed through official sources and never drive through a flooded road. Leon County has weathered storms before by preparing early and looking out for one another, and that is exactly how we will meet the storm ahead.”
The declaration is in effect for seven days and may be extended if needed. It aligns with the state of emergency Gov. Ron DeSantis declared Tuesday, which now covers 27 Florida counties, including Leon County. The declaration lets Leon County move even faster, so the crews, equipment and supplies needed to prepare for the storm and respond to its impacts can be brought in quickly.
The declaration does not order evacuations or a curfew. The most important thing residents can do now is finish their storm preparations before the rain arrives Friday.
“County staff are ready, and our preparations have been underway since early this week,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Our Emergency Operations Center is activated, Public Works crews are checking known flood-prone roads and clearing drainage systems, and our five sandbag sites are open and staffed. The County encourages everyone to stay alert and stay informed as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf.”
County Closures and Service Changes
Leon County offices and facilities will close at noon on Friday, Oct. 9. Closing early will help keep drivers off the roads as conditions worsen and allow County employees to transition quickly into disaster-support roles.
Closing at noon Friday, Oct. 9
County offices
LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library, branch libraries, and community centers
Rural Waste Service Centers
County outdoor activities, including campgrounds and sports-related activities.
Reopening Saturday, Oct. 10
Resuming Sunday, Oct. 11
All County offices and outdoor activities will resume normal hours on Monday, Oct. 12. Emergency Management, EMS and all other essential operations will continue throughout the storm.
Available Throughout the Storm
The Leon County Citizens Information Line, 850-606-3700, can answer questions about County services and storm preparations.
For any emergency, call 911.
School, College and University Closures
Following briefings with Leon County Emergency Management, Leon County Schools will follow an early release schedule on Friday, Oct. 9. High schools will dismiss at 11:20 a.m., elementary schools at 12:20 p.m. and middle schools at 1:20 p.m. All after-school activities are canceled, including after-school care programs such as 21st Century and Extended Day, and district offices and school campuses will close at 3 p.m.
Tallahassee State College classes are canceled, and its campuses are closed on Friday, Oct. 9.
Florida A&M University’s Tallahassee campus will host morning classes remotely on Friday, Oct. 9. Early dismissal begins at noon, with only essential employees remaining on duty. Afternoon classes on Friday, Oct. 9, are canceled. FAMU Developmental Research School will remain open until further notice.
Florida State University’s Tallahassee campuses will shift to remote classes and work from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 9. Campuses in Tallahassee will suspend normal business operations at noon on Friday. This includes the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. In addition, FSU’s Coastal and Marine Lab in St. Teresa will close Friday, Oct. 9.
Storm Update
As of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory, Hurricane Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and was moving east-northeast at 10 mph across the Gulf.
Isaias is forecast to strengthen through early Friday, turn north and remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast. Landfall is expected late Friday or early Saturday within the hurricane warning area, which stretches from Ocean Springs, Miss., to the Bay/Gulf county line.
What It Means for Leon County
Heavy rain and flooding: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Leon County from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening and forecasts 5 to 10 inches of rain across the region, with potentially higher amounts. With the ground already saturated, flash flooding is possible in low-lying areas, and some roads may close because of water over the roadway. Rain is expected to begin Friday and continue through Saturday.
Wind: A Tropical Storm Warning means winds of 39 mph or higher are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours. The current forecast for Leon County calls for winds below that level, with gusts up to 35 mph, though downed trees and scattered power outages are possible on saturated ground. The warning also accounts for the chance of stronger winds if the storm’s track or size changes.
Tornadoes: The National Weather Service says tornadoes may form in the storm’s rain bands. Make sure you can receive warnings at any hour, including overnight, and know where you would take shelter.
What You Can Do Now
The National Weather Service advises finishing hurricane preparations by midday Friday, before the rain arrives.
Pick up sandbags if your home is prone to flooding. Leon County’s five sandbag sites are open from dawn to dusk, with sand, bags and ties provided and a limit of 15 sandbags per household:
Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), 7550 Apalachee Parkway
Fred George Park, 3043 Capital Circle NW
Fort Braden Community Park, 15000 Blountstown Highway
Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville Road
Oak Ridge Road at Ranchero Road
City of Tallahassee sandbag locations are listed at Talgov.com.
Clear leaves and debris from storm drains and ditches near your home, and bring in or secure loose outdoor items.
Charge your phone and make sure you can receive weather alerts at any hour, including overnight.
Never drive or walk through flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown.
Check on your neighbors, especially older adults and people who live alone.
Stay Informed
Emergency Information Portal: LeonCountyFL.gov/ei
Citizens Connect mobile app: emergency notifications on your smartphone, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play
Leon County Citizens Information Line: 850-606-3700
2-1-1 (Lifeline Connection): dial 2-1-1 or 850-617-6333, answered 24/7
88.9 WFSU-FM: updates from local public safety officials
The Jubilee Music Festival III featuring Tye Tribbett, presented by County and scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park, has been canceled. Ticket holders will be refunded automatically through AXS, and no action is needed.
The signed proclamation is posted at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei. Leon County will continue to share updates as the forecast changes.
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