NEWS ALERT: Rising Waters Force Road Closures

BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor

After days of heavy rains, the Apalachicola and Chipola rivers are on the rise, with forecasts indicating they will remain high for several days.

According to Calhoun County Emergency Management Director Angie Smith, “We’ve got some places that received 15 inches of rain in the past four days.”

Smith says the National Weather Service predicts the Apalachicola will crest at 24.9 feet Saturday and the Chipola should reach 28.2 feet Thursday, six feet above flood stage.

“When the Apalachicola is up, the Chipola has a harder time flowing out and sometimes you get back up. Those people in that area of the county tend to have a rougher time,” says Smith of those residing along the Chipola. “If they have friends or family who they could stay with and feel more comfortable, my suggestion would be to go there. I just want everybody to be aware, be cautious, be safe and be prepared for conditions similar to the 2009 flooding event.”

The following are areas of concern: Logan Road, Sybil Lane, Blackbottom, Bumpy Hill Road, Shuman Ferry, Jessie Lee Road, Lamb Eddy, Missy Lane, areas off of Bailey Cemetery Road, Jack Lake Road, Lee Bailey Landing, Cypress Park off BH Stone Road, TD Barker Road.

Roads under water include: Abe Springs/Bullhead Bay Road, Big Mac Drive, Buddy Johnson Road, J. J. Young Road, Dessie Stone Road, Flatwoods Road, John F. Bailey Road, John Daniels Road, John Redd Road, Hanna Tower West Road, Lands Store Road, Leonard Varnum Road West at the Creek, Matthew Wood Road, McCullough/Ervin Road, McClendon Road, North Street, Ocheessee Landing Road, Oscar Hall Road, Pole Road, Roy Golden Road, Sam Duncan Road, J W Alexander Road, Willard Smith Road, CR 69 A off of SR 69 North, CR 274 East off of Alliance Road, CR 1 South of CR 5, CR 5, CR 12, CR 275 South @ Silas Green Road.

Road closures include: Clayton Shiver, Iola Road, Mac’s Nursery Road, and Silas Green Road.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office also advises all Calhoun County citizens living in low-lying areas to be aware of the water levels and flooding potential as the week progresses.

Currently, there have been no evacuations ordered for low-lying areas, but water levels are being closely monitored by the Emergency Operations Center and the Sheriff’s Office.

Records indicate the Apalachicola climbed to 27.23 feet back in 1998 and the Chipola hit 31.23 the same year.

Smith says anyone with questions or concerns should call her office at 674-8075.