Madison County Emergency Management

06/01/2026

📣 Today Marks the Start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season 📣

Now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared, long before a storm threatens our area.

✅ Make a Family Emergency Plan – Know where you will go, how you will communicate, and what you will do if a hurricane impacts our community.
✅ Build or Update Your Emergency Kit – Include enough food, water, medications, important documents, flashlights, batteries, and other essential supplies to last several days.
✅ Review Your Insurance and Important Documents – Ensure your coverage is current and keep copies of important records in a safe location.
✅ Stay Informed – Monitor weather forecasts and emergency information throughout the hurricane season.

For additional preparedness tips and resources visit: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/preparing-for-hurricane-season/

05/22/2026

📢🌀

On May 21st, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-below-normal-2026-atlantic-hurricane-season

Key points: 🗝️
👉55% chance of a below-normal activity with respect to numbers of named storms.
👉10% chance of above-normal activity.
👉 This is NOT a landfall forecast.

The projected development and intensification of El Nino competing with other factors over the next several months is the primary reason why current probabilities favor a near to below-normal season: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/impacts-el-nino-and-la-nina-hurricane-season

Although number ranges on named storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes likely capture your attention more, the pie chart is more telling. Either way, we all know too well how only ONE can define a season for us. We were fortunate last year to escape without a single hurricane in the Gulf. Let's hope for a repeat, but also be prepared regardless. The season officially starts on June 1st and runs until November 30th.

05/14/2026

Although the burn ban has been lifted, we want to remind our residents that fire risk remains elevated due to ongoing drought conditions. Please continue to exercise extreme caution when burning outdoors. 🔥

Here are a few important fire safety reminders:

• Never leave a fire unattended
• Keep a water hose, bucket, or fire extinguisher nearby
• Clear leaves, grass, and debris at least 10 feet around your burn area
• Fully extinguish fires with water and stir ashes until cool to the touch
• Never toss ci******es or matches onto the ground
• Stay informed about and follow local burning guidelines and restrictions

A little extra caution can help prevent wildfires and protect our community, homes, and first responders. Thank you for doing your part to stay safe. 🚒

05/14/2026

The burn ban has been lifted. While Madison County is no longer under a burn ban, drought conditions still remain in our area. All outdoor burning must still comply with Florida Forest Service rules and safety requirements.

05/14/2026

You’ve been asking —
and as of 8:00 AM today, the Madison County Burn Ban has officially been lifted. ✅🔥

However, we strongly urge all residents to burn responsibly.

While conditions have improved enough to lift the ban, wildfire danger can still increase rapidly due to dry vegetation, wind, and changing weather conditions. One unattended fire can quickly spread and threaten homes, property, timberland, and lives.

If you choose to burn:
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Keep a water source nearby
• Avoid burning on windy days
• Fully extinguish all fires before leaving
• Monitor surrounding areas for fire spread

Madison County Fire Rescue will continue monitoring fire conditions closely across our region.

We appreciate the community’s cooperation during the burn ban and thank everyone for helping keep Madison County safe!

05/08/2026

Today we had the pleasure of meeting with representatives from International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). They returned to Madison for a second time to continue supporting our community’s recovery efforts.

We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment, compassion, and partnership as Madison County continues to recover and rebuild. Thank you to IOCC for once again stepping up to serve our residents and make a lasting difference in our community. 💙

05/07/2026

11:00am ET - A line of storms continue to slowly drift south as the individual storms along the line move east. Several storms along this line have had a history of producing 50 to 60 mph wind gusts bringing thunderstorm wind damage and power outages. Additionally, a few have briefly had spin-ups. A brief tornado or two can't be ruled out within the stronger storms and a tornado watch still remains in effect for much of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, and southwest Georgia.

05/07/2026

🚨 ALERT: Burn Ban Renewed – Madison County 🚨

The Madison County Burn Ban has been reissued due to continued dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk.

ALL outdoor burning remains prohibited — including debris burning, trash burning, campfires, fire pits, burn barrels, and fireworks.

Agricultural, silvicultural, or land-clearing burns conducted with authorization from the Florida Forest Service, and with proper fire suppression equipment and personnel on site, are exempt from this ban.

Residents may continue to experience smoky conditions from the ongoing Mallory Swamp Fire in neighboring Lafayette County. Smoke levels and fire activity can shift quickly depending on weather and wind conditions. Please use caution outdoors, especially those with respiratory conditions.

Monitor active wildfire conditions across Florida here:
https://ffs.firesponse.com/public/

Please continue to avoid sparks or open flames. Violations may result in fines or legal action.

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

We want to reassure our residents that the smoke currently visible across Madison County is 𝗡𝗢𝗧 from any fires within our county. The smoke is drifting in from a wildfire in Lafayette County, along with ongoing fires in South Georgia.

While there is no active fire threat locally, air quality in our area may be affected. Residents are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor exposure when possible, especially those with respiratory conditions.

Please report to emergency services only if you see active flames or rising plumes of smoke—there is no need to call about general drifting smoke.