Story and photos by JENNA BAILEY
Florida Governor Rick Scott visited the Walton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in DeFuniak Springs (DFS) to discuss subtropical storm Alberto on Tuesday, May 29, at 9:30 a.m. The governor began the meeting by asking how Walton County fared during Alberto. The response was that there was not as much rain as anticipated. The only road closure due to the rain was Indian Creek Ranch Road in DFS where the bridge on said road had come under water. All other roads and bridges were open the morning after Alberto made its way through Walton County. All beaches within the county were also open by Tuesday morning and the county was deemed open for business.
Scott asked if the county needed any help from the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) for the road closure. The response was that flooding of the bridge on Indian Creek Ranch Road is a common occurrence after heavy rain and that assistance from the FDOT was not necessary. In the near future the county intends to pave the road and install a better bridge. The governor said that the state has a good transportation fund in the amount of $10 million, and should the county decide that help from the FDOT is necessary that the state would be able to oblige.
The main issues as a result of Alberto were power outages and vegetation debris. The amount of power outages in Walton County were in the mid-300s, fewer than expected, and power was restored by Tuesday morning. Flooding due to the storm was also reported to be minimal. Scott urged citizens to have an evacuation plan in instances of severe weather and to heed warnings from the state and the county should a call for evacuation be made. “Don’t wait until the last minute,” warned Scott. As of Tuesday, May 29, the state of Florida is considered to be open for business.