Today, Leon County issued a voluntary evacuation for Leon County due to the increasing likelihood of hurricane-force winds for an extended period of time. The voluntary evacuation is effective immediately for all Leon County residents until Sunday, September 10 at 8 p.m., at which time residents should shelter in place until winds subside.
The National Weather Service has forecasted that tropical-storm-force or hurricane-force winds will persist for at least 18 hours.
When emergencies provide time to make decisions, it is imperative to advise people of the window of opportunity to move from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas.
Because of the foreseeable threat to life and the property of Leon County citizens, and what could be a long post-storm recovery time, this voluntary evacuation is being issued to give citizens adequate time to leave the area, if you choose to do so.
Again, a voluntary evacuation is not mandatory, but it may be in the interest of your family’s safety and comfort to do so.
If citizens choose to stay, your options will be to shelter in place or in an emergency shelter. Shelter information can be found at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei or by calling (850) 606-3700.
Leon County Emergency Management continues to actively monitor the evolving threat to residents from Hurricane Irma from the Emergency Operations Center and will act, coordinate and communicate accordingly.
Leon County Government sent this bulletin at 09/09/2017 04:17 PM EDT