TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Leon County officials urged residents to stay home and out of floodwaters as Hurricane Isaias was expected to bring heavy rain to the region, with a Flood Watch in effect through Saturday evening.
Residents were asked to avoid non-essential travel from this evening through Saturday and to stay out of floodwaters. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee expected 4 to 10 inches of rain across the region, with localized totals up to 15 inches, and about 6 to 8 inches in Leon County. The area was also under a moderate risk (level 3 of 4) for excessive rainfall.
As of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory, Isaias was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, about 195 miles south of Pensacola, and was expected to make landfall this evening within the Hurricane Warning area west of the region. A Tropical Storm Warning remained in effect for Leon County. The National Weather Service also issued a Tornado Watch for Leon County.
“The safest place for most residents tonight is at home,” Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban said. “If you don’t need to be on the road, please stay off it, and if you come to water on a roadway, turn around. No trip is worth that risk, and staying home also keeps the roads clear for first responders and County crews.”
Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long said county crews would monitor known flood-prone roads and remain on call overnight.
“Our crews will continue to check known flood-prone roads this evening and remain on-call overnight, but water can rise quickly, and roads can wash out beneath the surface,” Long said. “Please treat every flooded road as closed, keep children and pets away from ditches, creeks and storm drains, and stay clear of downed power lines. We will keep residents informed through the weekend and please stay safe.”
The National Weather Service warned that more than half of all flood-related drownings happen when a vehicle is driven into floodwater. Officials said as little as 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks. Officials also warned it is never safe to drive or walk into floodwater.
County guidance included avoiding travel tonight and Saturday, especially after dark; turning around rather than driving into water that may hide a washed-out road; and never driving around barricades. Residents were also urged to stay away from moving water in ditches, creeks, retention ponds and storm drains, and to keep children and pets away.
Officials cautioned that floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, chemicals and debris, and advised washing with soap and clean water after any contact. Residents were also told to assume any downed power line is live, to stay far away from any water near it, and to report it to their utility.
The National Weather Service forecast minor flooding on a few area rivers, with moderate river flooding possible, and warned that river levels can keep rising for days after the rain ends. Residents who see water rising around their homes were told to move to higher ground and to call 911 if trapped or in danger.
Road and closure updates were available at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei and through the Citizens Connect mobile app for county roads, FL511.com for state roads, and Talgov.com for City of Tallahassee roads. Residents with questions could call the Leon County Citizens Information Line at 850-606-3700, or contact Lifeline Connection (formerly 2-1-1 Big Bend) at 2-1-1 or 850-617-6333.