First few snowflakes
appearing in Bristol
by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com
BRISTOL, FL – The first few snowflakes started to drift down around Hall Circle at 4:30 p.m. today, according to FHP Captain Jason King, who hung around a few minutes after the end of his shift to take in the sight.
By 5 p.m., the snow was starting to blanket yards throughout Bristol.
Panhandle residents are waiting to see what the incoming storm will bring as North Florida braces for severe weather expected to spread snow and ice across our roads, bridges and yards. Reports are coming in across social media that snow began falling in Bay and Jackson County just before 5 p.m. ET.
Everyone is urged to stay off the roads and there will be double the amount of FHP troopers out patroling throughout the storm. “We will be all hands on deck,” King said. “We suspended days off for staff today and tomorrow,” he said. “There will be a double shift for the day staff at FHP.”
The biggest question locally is will the Apalachicola River Bridge remain open. No decision has been made at this time, according to King. He said FHP and the Department of Transportation will look at the options this evening.
“If it is closed, we’ll notify area sheriffs and put out signs, but it will be ‘travel at your own risk,’ he said. “This puts the responsibility back on the driver because we may not be able to get to you,” he said. “We ask that you stay home and let this pass.”
Florida drivers may underestimate their skill behind the wheel when they hit a patch of ice. “There may be more ice than snow on the roads,” King said, pointing out, “That means cars can lose traction and hydroplane.”
He noted that someone trying to cross the arch of the Apalachicola Bridge might find their vehicle sliding backwards, leaving them stranded.
“While we will have troopers in the counties, our main focus will be the interstate,” said. “It will be all hands on deck if we have to close the interstate.”
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