Environment

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Point Washington and Pine Log State Forests temporarily closed

Due to the recent rain event, the Point Washington and Pine Log State Forests are temporarily closed. The gates will be closed until the roads become more navigable. The closure includes hikers, bikers and all vehicle traffic. According to Shane McGowan, Forester at Point Washington, Forestry is currently seeking emergency funding to assist with enabling the reconstruction of the roads and trail bridges that have washed out. To inquire about when the forests will be reopened, contact the field office...

Heath advisory for North Eden Park Road to J.D. Miller Road in Santa Rosa Beach

HEALTH ADVISORY FOR NORTH EDEN PARK TO JD MILLER ROAD IN THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY AND EAST BAY SHORE DRIVE AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY Walton County – Due to sewage spills caused by the excessive rain in Walton County, the Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) is issuing health advisories for North Eden Park and surrounding areas and the East Bay Shore Drive – JD Miller Road and surrounding areas in the Choctawhatchee Bay. DOH-Walton advises...

North Central Gulf Coast receives historic flash flood event – April 29-30 2014

              NOAA has reported the recent rainfall event as historic. It developed ahead of a slow moving cold front on Tuesday evening, 29 April 2014 over portions of coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. The cold front was associated with a very powerful low pressure system in the Plains. The widespread flooding produced sinkholes (some very large and deep), cut roads in half and necessitated human water rescues (one confirmed fatality). Parts of...

Major flooding affects all of Walton County Florida

Serious storms have affected all of Walton County. Here are closures as of 12:30 p.m. April 30: Note: South Walton High School is open for shelter. Road Closure list as of 12:30 pm North Walton Hinote Road is flooded close to Crowder Chapel Road. DFPD advised that 11th Street, Wayside Park and City Hall has approximately 7 inches of water. On Long Road just west of Walton Plantation there is 8 inches of running water and rising. Clear Springs Rd....

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

High count for fecal indicator bacteria WALTON COUNTY – The Health Advisory is issued April 29, 2014, for Morrison Springs. The Advisory is issued based on the criteria for fecal indicator bacteria. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended. Samples taken are still above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than...

Potential beach access at west end of CR-30A discussed at TDC committee meeting

TDC seeks Topsail Hill Preserve State Park land By DOTTY NIST DeFuniak Springs Herald Discussion of a possible new public beach access across the southeastern portion of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park drew the attention of community members at a meeting of the Walton County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) Destination Improvement Committee. The committee met on April 9 at the TDC office. Brian Kellenberger, newly-hired TDC director of beach operations, explained that the access would primarily serve several nearby neighborhoods...