Several municipalities across Okaloosa County have announced closures of government offices and facilities on Thursday, September 26, 2024, due to the impending threat of Hurricane Helene.

Okaloosa County offices will close at noon on Thursday, with plans to reopen Friday morning at the normal time.

The City of Fort Walton Beach has decided to close all its offices and facilities for the entire day on Thursday. Despite the closures, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Fire Department, and other essential city personnel will remain on duty to respond to emergencies throughout the day.

• “We expect to resume normal operating hours for all offices and facilities on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024,” the City of Fort Walton Beach stated.

In Destin, city offices and recreational facilities will close at noon on Thursday. The closures include City Hall, City Hall Annex, Community Center, Morgan Sports Center, Buck Destin Senior Center, Destin Public Library, and all public beach and park restrooms. The city noted that essential personnel will remain on duty.

The City of Crestview announced that all its facilities will be closed on Thursday, with plans to resume regular operating hours on Friday.

Niceville also joined in the precautionary measures, closing all city offices, facilities, and parks on September 26. The city emphasized that the safety of the community is their top priority and that emergency personnel will be on duty to monitor the storm.

All municipalities expect to return to normal operations on Friday, September 27, 2024, pending the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Residents are advised to stay informed about the latest updates on Hurricane Helene and follow guidance from local emergency management officials.