Winter storm Enzo is expected to make landfall in Tallahassee Tuesday evening and last up until Wednesday morning.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm as temperatures are expected to drop in the low 20s Monday night and reach the upper 40s by Thursday.
“We are expected to have sleet, snow and rain. The city of Tallahassee provided free rides to shelters last week,” said Tamela, a City of Tallahassee Representative. “We are still waiting to receive more information and updates on how we can better prepare for this storm.”
The last time Tallahassee received snow was on Jan. 3, 2018, and the previous snow storm occurred in 2014. The city experienced freezing rain and sleet; the snow lasted about 20 minutes and accumulated about a tenth of an inch. Winter storm Enzo is expected to bring more snow and have a more significant impact.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “Tallahassee could see around 0.5 inches or closer to an inch of liquid precipitation… This will be a historic storm, with the most significant impact likely if most precipitation falls as freezing rain, which could damage roads, power lines, and trees previously damaged by hurricanes.”
Florida A&M University and Florida State University have canceled all university operations until Thursday. Leon County schools will have early dismissal times on Tuesday and will be closed on Wednesday. Government offices, libraries, and many community centers are expected to be closed on Wednesday.
Shelters started to open on Sunday in the Tallahassee area to help people who may be in need during this time. The Kearney Center is open to adults from ages 18 and older. HOPE community is open to families and the CCYS of Tallahassee is providing shelter to youth from ages 10-17. These shelters expect more clients than usual and are preparing for the storm.
“We’re open all day. We start our morning service at 9 a.m. and our day service at 4 p.m. We provide beds, shelter, showers, and food, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks”, said Makerty, a staff member at the Kearney Center.
The county has prepared sand trucks for the roads and interstates to promote safer travel for residents. Leon County EMS has also been preparing its vehicles to ensure they are equipped for the storm.
The city encourages people to stay indoors and ensure your heating systems work correctly to prepare for the storm. When outdoors, ensure you are dressed warmly with multiple layers of clothing. Stock up on food and water in case of an emergency.