Walton County officials have declared a state-of-emergency.
Even though landfall isn't expected until the overnight hours, we're beginning to see Ida start to impose on the Gulf of Mexico.
We talked to residents here at the coastline as well as officials at the Emergency Operations Center in De Funiak Springs to find out how they're preparing for the wrath of Ida.
Gray clouds overshadowed the Gulf this afternoon, just one of many of Ida’s warnings of what's to come.
Brian Cox owns and operates a beach concession service and is frantically trying to secure his business before the storm hits.
"We're evacuating the beaches, expecting a higher than normal surge and tide. We're definitely going to get some coastal beach flooding and erosion for sure."
Captain Michael Barker is the Chief of Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and doesn’t think Ida should be taken lightly at all.
"(Anytime) there's a storm in the Gulf, (people should be concerned), because storms are so unpredictable. Storms that pop up in the Gulf can increase in speed, increase in size or strength. Anytime there's something like that in the Gulf, they should be concerned about it."
Briefings with the National Weather Service started at eight this morning at the Emergency Operations Center.
County Commissioner Sara Comander has declared a state of emergency for the county.
"We don't know what it holds for Walton County at this time so we are being prepared. We are prepared for the best and worst case scenario.”
A voluntary evacuation has been issued for the southern part of the county south of highway 20.
If winds reach forty miles per hour the Clyde Well bridge will shut down.
If you plan to evacuate, you should do so before conditions become too extreme. This is especially true if you are living in a high risk location such as a mobile home park, low lying area, or on the coast.
As of right now, schools will be closed Tuesday.
County offices closed at noon today, the Health Department will be closed tomorrow, and the County Board of Commissioners have postponed their emergency meeting until Thursday.
"The Special Needs" and general shelter opened at 2:00pm this afternoon at the Freeport High School gymnasium located at 12615 U.S. Highway 331 South.
Bill Chapman, the Undersheriff for the Walton County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to seek safety during the storm and stay inside.
"Unless you have to be out, stay inside. Don't be driving and cluttering up the roads. Emergency vehicles will be responding wherever they have to go, downed power lines.. We don't want anyone to get hurt."
If you need more information, the Emergency Operations Center of Walton County can be reached at 892-8394 or 892-8392