Dennis - roads, traffic, evacuation & return

Admin

Jul 8, '05 · 12:31 PM6,608

Evacuation Routes in Walton County

U.S. 331 is the only evacuation route for
those leaving south Walton after a general evacuation has
been ordered.

The Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge (Clyde B.Wells Bridge)
will be closed when sustained winds reach 40 miles per
hour.

When the bridge is closed to traffic there is no means of
leaving south Walton County because Bay and Okaloosa
counties also close their bridges at Phillips Inlet and at the
Destin East Pass.

Before the bridge is closed, both lanes of 331 may be
routed with northbound traffic only.

Once travelers reach the intersection of U.S. 331 and SR
20 in Freeport,Walton County Sheriff?s deputies will
direct traffic in two directions.

Cars in the right lane of U.S. 331 will be directed
right on SR20 to Bruce, FL where they will be
directed again by deputies to turn left and go
north on SR 81 to Ponce de Leon.

In Ponce de Leon traffic can continue north on SR 81 into
Alabama or take I-10 east or west.

Cars in the left lane of U.S. 331 will turn left on
SR20 and then right on U.S. 331 North to
DeFuniak Springs. Once in DeFuniak Springs,
motorists can take I-10 east or west, proceed on
U.S. 331 North to Alabama, or take SR 83 in
DeFuniak Springs into Alabama.

Louisiana travelers:
http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/press...sp?page=cameras
Mississippi travelers:
http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/
Alabama travelers:
http://www.dot.state.al.us/docs
Florida travelers:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicin...ce/traveler.htm

Edited Jul 8, '05 · 7:58 PM

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Jul 8, '05 · 1:07 PM#2

331 Northbound is at a crawl...

just in case y'all needed to know...

Stay safe,
JS

AdminAuthor

Jul 8, '05 · 2:48 PM#3

Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

Are you looking at it from your house? Keep us posted.

Beach Fanatic

Jul 8, '05 · 4:26 PM#4

Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

To the west, SR 85 and SR 285 are bumper to bumper.

Beach Comber

Jul 8, '05 · 4:40 PM#5

Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

331 is backed up to 98
98 backed up to 283
283 backed up ALMOST to 30A

we are staying put and heading out later tonight

SoWal Expert

Jul 8, '05 · 5:23 PM#6

Re: 331 Northbound is at a crawl...

Go to my photo album and click on the photos to enlarge them.

Traffic appears to be backing up at the south end of the bridge, but it opens up quickly. I am sure traffic is backed for a few miles at Hwy 331/20.

Beach Comber

Jul 8, '05 · 7:17 PM#7

hi all!!! Love the site and enjoy it daily. Just curious, Where are you taking the pictures at the bay?? Looks really familiar to me. :idontno:

SoWal Expert

Jul 8, '05 · 7:25 PM#8

hi all!!! Love the site and enjoy it daily. Just curious, Where are you taking the pictures at the bay?? Looks really familiar to me.

Blakely, sounds like some kind of Peanut town. (just kidding, and probably you are the only one on this board who will get that, but it is fun making them wonder.)

Those two photos of the Bay were taken from Grayton Bayou. Ever been there?

Beach Lover

Jul 8, '05 · 7:50 PM#9

We are in Seacrest Beach, Heading back to Atlanta on Saturday by 7Am on Saturday. We are going to take 98 to 79 does anyone know if that route will be opened

AdminAuthor

Jul 8, '05 · 7:57 PM#10

We are in Seacrest Beach, Heading back to Atlanta on Saturday by 7Am on Saturday. We are going to take 98 to 79 does anyone know if that route will be opened

I can think of no reason why that would be closed.

Check the links that pertain to your route:
Louisiana travelers:
http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/press...sp?page=cameras
Mississippi travelers:
http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/
Alabama travelers:
http://www.dot.state.al.us/docs
Florida travelers:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicin...ce/traveler.htm

Beach Fanatic

Jul 8, '05 · 8:22 PM#11

Smiling Joe has a much better view than I do...and I'll be joining the parade at about daybreak.

Good luck to all -

AdminAuthor

Jul 8, '05 · 8:38 PM#12

Lodging information for Alabama may be obtained by calling the Alabama Tourism and Travel Office at (800) 252-2262.

Georgia lodging information may be obtained by calling the Georgia Tourism Office at (800) 847-4842, which will direct callers to local visitors? bureaus in requested cities.

SoWal Expert

Jul 8, '05 · 8:48 PM#13

Traffic is thick on the 331 bridge -- 7:00pm July 8 2005

Anyone heard from Emily? I hope she does rear her head anytime soon.

Beach Fanatic

Jul 8, '05 · 9:37 PM#14

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/post/wxtalk/1268/I65-Update

I-65 in Alabama will have all lanes northbound from Baldwin County to Montgomery during daylight hours starting Saturday morning.

Beach Fanatic

Jul 9, '05 · 12:11 AM#15

It took us 2-1/2 hours to get from the 395/98 intersection to the other side of the 331 bridge. A trip that normally takes us at most 4-1/4 hours took us 7. We just got home at 12:45 AM EDT. We're fried! Thankfully a friend told us to turn on Black Creek Road after crossing the bridge turn to get off 331, or we'd still be driving.

AdminAuthor

Jul 9, '05 · 7:53 AM#16

ShallowsNole says traffic on 331 and I-10 east toward Tallahassee this morning was heavy but steadily moving.

Bay County started their mandatory evac this morning so expect roads north out of there, Hwy 20, and I-10 east might get heavier as the day grows.

SoWal Expert

Jul 9, '05 · 8:57 AM#17

331 bridge report

This morning, July 9, the traffic is extremely light. Many boats can be seen moving up creeks and bayous.

SoWal Expert

Jul 10, '05 · 9:30 AM#18

331 Bridge (Clyde Wells Bridge) is now officially closed. The Bridge closes when sustained winds reach 40mph.

Beach Comber

Jul 10, '05 · 10:09 AM#19

Is anyone planning on staying??? If not , when do u plan to come back?

Beach Lover

Jul 10, '05 · 10:35 AM#20

I posted this on the Hurricane Dennis thread: saw yesterday--The Weather Channel interviewed an official from PC/PCB and he said they close their bridge when the sustained winds are at 55 mph.

Beach Lover

Jul 10, '05 · 11:44 AM#21

Return Information

Kurt - as you know, last year information coming from the County about road openings was pathetic. Any information you can provide after the storm passes about when local residents can return to the south side of the Bay would so helpful - especially in regards to the 331 bridge. If you stayed, take care of yourself and your family.

Thanks!

Beach Fanatic

Jul 11, '05 · 7:22 AM#22

331 Bridge Now Open

Just heard over the SO channel that the 331 bridge is now open for travel.

AdminAuthor

Jul 11, '05 · 10:57 AM#23

331 bridge is now open to all traffic.

AdminAuthor

Jul 11, '05 · 12:22 PM#24

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is manning a phone bank for motorists returning into the area after Hurricane Dennis. DOT personnel are standing by 24/7 to answer calls related to detours, road closures and other transportation related issues. The toll free number is 888-638-0250 extension 637.

Beach Lover

Jul 11, '05 · 12:43 PM#25

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is manning a phone bank for motorists returning into the area after Hurricane Dennis. DOT personnel are standing by 24/7 to answer calls related to detours, road closures and other transportation related issues. The toll free number is 888-638-0250 extension 637.

I called this number and got a nice person who said that I-10 going east to SoWal is completely opened, and that the Escambia Bay Bridge opened at noon (now, that's a miracle!).

But, she said "I-10 is very congested now," which probably means of nightmare quality, and advised waiting.