News Flash

Aug. 14, 12:30 p.m. - Santa Rosa County Emergency Management officials continue to closely monitor the remnants of Fred. Residents are reminded to follow the National Weather Service and local media outlets for the most recent weather updates. 

Storm information as forecast by the National Weather Service:

• Fred is very poorly organized and will now be referred to as the 'remnants of Fred', however advisories are still being written due to the likely chance for re-development once the center re-emerges over the open Gulf waters. 
• The ultimate landfall location of Fred remains uncertain, especially due to its current disorganized state. 
• Heavy rain and strong winds are still expected to be mainly east of the track, but now may be shifted more over our area due to recent storm track changes.
• Threats for heavy rain, tropical storm force winds, high surf and minor coastal flooding for portions of the western Florida Panhandle remains.
• No local impacts expected through Sunday.
• Risk for rip currents increases through early next week. 

• Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level 3 (monitoring) status.
• The citizen information line is open, 850-983-INFO (4636). 
• There are no evacuation orders and no shelters open at this time.
• Sand is available at the following locations (must bring sand bags and shovel):
  • The corner of Citrus and Leisure streets in Navarre
  • Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Ln. in Midway/Gulf Breeze
  • Pace Fire Rescue, 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd. in Pace
  • The corner of Carroll and Pine Forest Road in Milton
• Residents must provide their own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased at many local hardware stores. For information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. 

 Traffic Conditions

• Bridges are not closed in advance of a storm and not all bridges will close at the same time. Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement close bridges when sustained winds are greater than 39 mph.
• Heavy rain may quickly flood low-lying areas including roads and bridges.
• Standing water creates a serious road hazard, even when only a portion of the roadway is flooded. Turn around, don't drown!
• Dangerous road conditions can be reported to (850) 983-5372.
• County road and bridge closures are posted online.
• Florida road closures are available at www.fl511.com or a free phone call to 511.

Power Outages

• In the event that residents experience a power outage, they are asked to not call 9-1-1 to report power outages. Power outages should be reported to Gulf Power at 1-800-GU-Power (1-800-487-6937) or Escambia River Cooperative, Inc. at 1-877-OUT-EREC (1-877-688-3732).

Santa Rosa County School District

• The Santa Rosa County School District remains in close communications with Santa Rosa County Public Safety and National Weather Service Mobile regarding the remnants of Fred, which is forecast to become a tropical storm. The district, along with those officials, are monitoring the forecasts and will provide updates about the status of the district.
• The school district is expected to make a decision on school closures/cancellation of after-school activities by 4 p.m. Sunday and will share those details on social media, on their website and by phone call outs.

• As Tropical Storm Fred is projected to have some level of impact in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Council on Aging offices will be closed Mon., Aug. 16. All programs and services, including grab-and-go senior dining sites and The Retreat adult day care, will also be suspended for the day. 
• At this time, Meals on Wheels is scheduled to be delivered as normal Tuesday, and all programs and services should resume Tuesday as well, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

 Steps Residents Should Take Now

• Visit Santa Rosa County's Know Your Zone for evacuation zone information. Santa Rosa County recently updated the evacuation zone map as part of a statewide evacuation zone study through Florida Department of Emergency Management.
• Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com. 
• Review your disaster plan and make sure it includes your pets. 
• Check your disaster supply kit and replenish necessary items.
• With the chance of tropical storm force wind gusts, bring in or secure items which could blow away including lawn furniture, wind chimes, swings and bird feeders.

For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency or pick up a disaster guide at Santa Rosa County Emergency Management, 4499 Pine Forest Rd. in Milton.