Santa Rosa County now under hurricane, storm surge and flash flood warning

Hurricane Sally update #5

Santa Rosa County now under hurricane, storm surge and flash flood warning

Sept. 14, 6:45 p.m. - Updates are highlighted

  • Santa Rosa County is under a hurricane warning, storm surge, flash flood warning.
  • Sally's track continues to shift east and additional shifts are still possible.
  • Sally is forecast to make landfall as a strong category 2 hurricane. Those in the hurricane warning area need to prepare for hurricane conditions and rush those preparations to completion!
  • Sally will move very slowly as it approaches the coast and this will lead to a prolonged event.
  • DANGEROUS and POTENTIALLY HISTORIC flooding event is becoming increasingly likely, especially for portions of southwest Alabama, southeast Mississippi, and coastal sections of the western Florida panhandle.
  • The surge threat is also increasing across coastal northwest Florida. Surge forecast increased to two-to-four feet for the northwest Florida panhandle. Values may be increased slightly more if an additional eastward shift occurs.
  • Tropical storm force gusts will begin to spread along the immediate coastal areas early this evening and will spread inland tonight with the rain bands. There is an 80-to-100% chance of tropical storm force winds in Santa Rosa County with the greatest chance in the south and east sides of the county.
  • Sustained tropical storm force winds are possible Tuesday into Wednesday morning, especially along the immediate coast. Inland areas will see frequent tropical storm gusts at the very least with the intense rain bands. Gusts up to 50 mph possible. Tropical storm conditions may not subside until Wednesday afternoon/evening.  
  • Rainfall totals of 10-15" are projected for most of the county.
  • A rare high flood risk has been expanded into the western panhandle.
  • There is also a threat of a few tornadoes across the area.
  • Residents on Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek and Pond Creek need to make preparations and plans (that include pets) to move to higher ground quickly if needed.

·Do not park vehicles in a low-lying areas overnight.

·No evacuations are called at this time. However, you should always know your zone. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/knowyourzone for evacuation zone information.

·The Citizens Information Line is open, call 850-983-INFO (4636) for questions.

·Report damage via our Citizen Damage Report (https://bit.ly/2Rnogx8).

·The next update will be Tues., Sept. 15.

Shelter

  • Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton (map), will open as a shelter tonight at 7 p.m. No pre-registration is required. There are no evacuation orders at this time, however residents in low-lying areas and mobile homes are encouraged to seek safer shelter.
  • Milton Community Center is also a pet-friendly shelter. Bring pet(s) in a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all pet food and supplies including water, leashes and/or litter boxes with litter.
  • Bring COVID supplies for you and your family or they will be provided for you. Masks are required in shelters.
  • Shelters are usually uncomfortable. Meals are not provided. It is recommended that other arrangements be made to stay at a hotel or with a friends or family in a well-constructed home out that is properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds.
  • Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter should call (850) 983-4636. Transportation will only be provided to a designated shelter.
  • Bring the following items:
    • Personal identification
    • Water, non-perishable snacks and any special dietary needs.
    • A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
    • Toiletries and personal items.
    • Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
    • Games or toys for children; books for adults.
    • Special items for infants or elderly family members.
    • Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries.
    • Prescriptions or any over-the-counter medications you normally need.

Road Closures

Bridges

  • No bridges are closed nor are any bridges planned to be closed in advance. Bridges ONLY close when sustained tropical storm force winds are observed by officials. If one bridge closes, it does not mean all bridges will close.
  • Bridges that typically flood include:
  •    Deaton Bridge/Deaton Bridge Road
  •    Wagner Bridge/East Fork Coldwater Creek/Spring Hill Road
  •    Red Rock Bridge/Juniper Creek/Red Rock Road
  •    Juniper Creek Bridge/Indian Ford Road
  •    West Fork Big Coldwater Creek Bridge/Walling Road
  •    Turkey Creek Bridge/Amos Cabaniss Road
  • For state and federal road closures, see www.FL511.com.

County Offices

  • Emergency Management is activated at a Level II for Hurricane Sally.
  • All county offices including the libraries, supervisor of elections, clerk of court and property appraiser will close Tues., Sept. 15.
  • The tax collector's office will be closed Tues., Sept. 15 and Wed., Sept. 16.
  • Any decisions on a Wed. closure will be made tomorrow, Tues.
  • The FY21 Budget Meeting for Tues., Sept. 15 will be rescheduled.

COVID Testing

  • COVID testing at Tiger Point Community Center will be closed Tues., Sept. 15.
  • Determinations on Wednesday's Milton Community Center testing site will be made on Tues.

General Preparedness Information

  • Stay informed! Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com. 
  • Make sure you and your family have a plan for where you will live in a low-lying area and need to evacuate your home - and make sure your plan includes your pets.
  • With the chance of tropical storm force winds, bring in or secure items which could blow away including lawn furniture, wind chimes, swings and bird feeders while it is not raining.
  • Sandbags are available at area Lowe's, Ace Hardware and Hall's Hardware. Bring your own sandbags and shovel. Sand for sandbags is on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
  • - The corner of Leisure St. and Citrus Dr. in Navarre
  • - Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
  • - Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
  • - The corner of Pine Forest Rd. and Carroll Rd. in Milton
  • - Crews will continue to monitor and replenish sand as weather permits.
  • For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency.

Central Landfill/Waste Haulers

  • Central Landfill will close Tues., Sept. 15. Any decisions on Wed., Sept. 16 will be announced later.
  • Waste haulers ECUA and Waste Pro will not pick up on Tues., Sept. 15. Contact your waste hauler for schedule adjustments.
  • All ECUA business offices will remain closed Tues., Sept. 15. Offices are expected to re-open on Wed., Sept. 16.

Navarre Beach Pier

  • Navarre pier closed as of 2 p.m. today and will reopen once conditions allow.

Santa Rosa County School District

  • Per the Santa Rosa County School District, all Santa Rosa County public schools are closed tomorrow, Tues., Sept. 15. 
  • Any decisions on Wed., Sept. 16 will be announced later.

City of Milton

  • City Hall is closed.
  • All parks in the city limits are closed.
  • Regularly scheduled sanitation pickup for Tuesday has been cancelled.
  • The city will monitor the situation to determine if further action is needed.
  • Flooding is expected along the riverbank, so motorists are urged to use caution along Munson Hwy., Broad and Willing streets.

City of Gulf Breeze

  • The city has activated its Emergency Operations Center at City Hall. Residents with storm-related questions should call 850-934-5100. 
  • Shoreline Park South is closed to walkers, motorists and boaters. This includes boat ramps, parks facilities and parking areas.
  • Garbage service is suspended until further notice. A catch up schedule will be posted midweek. The transfer station is also closed.
  • Residents who experience rising water in yards should call the EOC at 850-934-5100. Should rising water become life threatening, residents should call 911.
  • Gulf Breeze is coordinating with its Interfaith Disaster Resources Council (IDRC), comprised of area churches, hospitals and schools, to prepare for post-flooding response. 
  • Sand continues to be available at Shoreline Park. Portable pumps have been pre-staged and additional pumps are available. 

Department of Health

  • The county health department is closed Tues., Sept. 15. A determination on Wed. will be made on Tues., Sept. 15. Staff are able to work from home on COVID. 

First Judicial Circuit Court

  • State courts in Santa Rosa County will be closed Tues., Sept. 15.
  • Normal operations are scheduled to resume Wed.
  • Judge Hilliard will conduct first appearances by video at 9 a.m. Tues. 
  • County arraignments will be rescheduled to 8 a.m., Sept. 29.
  • Delinquency hearings have been rescheduled to 9 a.m., Sept. 18.

Power Companies

Pensacola State College

  • All Pensacola State College locations, offices, classes and activities are canceled and the college will be closed on Tues., Sept. 15.
  • PSC plans to reopen on Wed., Sept. 16, but will continue to monitor the weather and send additional alerts if plans change.
  • Maintenance and security personnel should contact their supervisor for further instruction. 

Council on Aging

  • Pre-packaged to-go meals distributed from churches and community centers in Santa Rosa will cease operation Tues., Sept. 15 and Wed., Sept. 16, resuming Thurs., Sept. 17.
  • Meals on Wheels will also be suspended Tues., Sept. 15 and Wed., Sept. 16. Individuals scheduled to receive meals on Tues. or Wed. will receive their meals on Thurs.
  • The Retreat adult day care is closed through Wed., Sept. 16.
  • For questions on Council on Aging programs and services, call (850) 432-1475.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

  • Opal Beach is closed until further notice.
  • Highway 399, J. Earle Bowden Way is closed until further notice.
  • Park staff will assess conditions once the weather passes and throughout the next few days and announce updates as appropriate.  

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