Heavy Rainfall Expected In Jackson County From Tropical Storm Ida
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Updated: 3:01 PM Nov 10, 2009
Heavy Rainfall Expected In Jackson County From Tropical Storm Ida
For most of the inland Panhandle counties, tomorrow will be potentially the most dangerous day for Tropical Storm Ida. That's when what's left of the storm is supposed to sweep eastward, after making landfall.
Posted: 6:13 PM Nov 9, 2009
Reporter: Vanessa Nguyen
Email Address: vanessa.nguyen@wjhg.com

Jackson County Plans For Hurricane Ida Landfall
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For most of the inland Panhandle counties, tomorrow will be potentially the most dangerous day for Tropical Storm Ida.
That's when what's left of the storm is supposed to sweep eastward, after making landfall.
Jackson County officials are urging residents to prepare now for possible heavy rains and potential flooding.

The rain may not be pouring down yet but it's on its way.
And Jackson County Emergency officials are trying to prepare for it.
"Absolutely, what we're concerned about is the rain upstream with all the possible flooding that we have at the Chipola River. Right now the Chipola River is low which is good, it can absorb some of that but it just depends on how long that rain stays in that area and how fast we get it," says Jackson County EOC Director Rodney Andreasen.
Tropical Storm Ida was originally a big concern for all Emergency Operation Centers as it strengthened to a Category 2 Hurricane on Sunday.
However, the storm system had weakened by Monday morning, which was a big relief for Jackson County officials.
"Based on what we found this morning and talking with school officials, it doesn't look like school is gonna be closing."
But emergency staff members are still urging everyone not to underestimate the damage Ida can still cause.
Currently, the biggest threat to Jackson County is excessive amounts of rain.
"60% of the deaths caused during hurricanes are from fresh water flooding."
All county departments are now on standby mode as they expect anywhere between 3-8 inches of rain on Monday evening and all day Tuesday.
"Storm's gonna track right over Jackson County eventually so the center of it will come over us sometime tomorrow."
Local recreational areas like the Florida Caverns State Park are also gearing up for Ida's effects.
With wind speeds already beginning to pick up, park staff members are evacuating all overnight guests, picking up any loose items and fueling up emergency equipment.
But one thing the county won't be responsible for is supplying sandbags.
"They need to find where those sandbags are located. There's several hardware stores around and we recommend that if you're concerned about that is get them before the storm happens."

Andreasen will request County Commissioners declare a local state of emergency at tomorrow's commission meeting at 9am.