Heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding, particularly of low lying and urban areas, is possible beginning today, Wed., Sept. 15, through late Thursday along with a low-end tornado threat today, according to the US National Weather Service in Mobile. There is also a high risk of rip currents along Navarre Beach through tonight. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management officials encourage residents to monitor local weather reports.
The county's public works department has sand available 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
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. While sandbags can help mitigate to an extent, buying flood insurance is the best protection against flood loss.
Floods are the nation's most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year. And get it sooner rather than later - flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency.
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