Hurricane Michael Update #5

New Information is Highlighted

Essential Information

• Hurricane Michael is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm between Destin and Apalachicola. 
• Possible sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of 45 mph are expected throughout Escambia County, until 5 p.m. 
• Plan to postpone any unnecessary driving during this time since these winds will make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads. Bridge closures are highly likely.  
• Winds may damage trees and power lines, and small unsecured objects may be blown around.
• The Citizen Information Line is open. Residents with questions may call 850-471-6600.
• Residents are encouraged to use GasBuddy, a gas finding app, if they are having difficulties locating gas stations with gas. 
  
  

• Winds – Possible sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of 45 mph throughout the county. Tropical storm force winds are currently forecast continue until 5 p.m. Wednesday. 
• A coastal flooding advisory is in effect
• Storm Surge Watch has been canceled
• Rain – 1.5 inches over the next five days
• A high risk of rip currents and high surf advisory are in effect for the northern Gulf Coast through at least Friday. Red flags are flying on Pensacola Beach and are expected through today. Red flags represent high surf and/or dangerous currents, and there is no swimming or wading in the Gulf of Mexico in red flag conditions. Surf heights are expected to increase to 10-15 feet through Wednesday.

• The evacuations ordered for Zone A on Tuesday, Oct. 9  will be lifted at 4 p.m. today.  

• General Population & Special Needs Shelters - Current Population: 169
  Pensacola Bay Center,  201 E. Gregory St.
• Pet-friendly Shelter - Current Population: 29 people, 13 pets
  Molino Elementary School, 899 Highway 97.Please bring the pet's food, water, medications, familiar items like toys or treats, crate or leash, collar, and proof of vaccinations. You must stay at the shelter with your pet. All pets without proof of vaccination will be vaccinated on site.
• Horse Shelter - Current Population: 48
  Escambia County Equestrian Center,  7750 Mobile Highway: Horses only. All horses must have a current Coggins test certificate.For more information, contact the Equestrian Center at 850-941-6042. 

County Actions

• Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring Hurricane Michael. The Emergency Operations Center is activated at a level 2, or partial activation.
• The Escambia County Commission declared a local state of emergency. Declaring a local state of emergency is a preemptive step that allows the county to make formal requests to the state and FEMA for assistance as needed if impacted by Hurricane Michael.
• The tolls on the Bobs Sikes Bridge have been lifted by the governor until further notice. 

Trash Service

• ECUA Residential and Commercial sanitation services in Escambia County will resume Thursday, Oct. 11. Wednesday’s collections will be made on Thursday, Thursday’s collections will be made on Friday, and Friday’s collections will be made on Saturday. Updates will be posted to the ECUA website and released to local media as necessary, should conditions change.

Closures/Openings

• All Escambia County offices will be resume regular business hours Thursday, Oct. 11.  
• Pensacola Energy’s Customer Service Center is closed until Thursday, Oct. 11. For natural gas emergencies, please call 474-5300. 
• All offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller will resume regular business hours Thursday, Oct. 11. 
• All offices of the Escambia County Tax Collector will resume regular business hours Thursday, Oct. 11.
• First Judicial Circuit: The courts in Escambia County will resume regular business hours Thursday, Oct. 11.
• The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will resume regular business hours Thursday, Oct. 11. Pursuant to a directive by the Florida Secretary of State, the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 6 General Election in Escambia County will be extended until the day the office reopens.
• Port of Pensacola has been placed at Port Condition ZULU by the United States Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Mobile Area. Under Condition ZULU, the port and all surrounding navigable waterways are closed to all vessel traffic and all port and vessel operations are suspended until further notice.
• All offices of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia Count are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Oct. 11 at their regular time.
• ECAT will resume regular service operations and routes Thursday, Oct. 11. 

• The Escambia County School District has not made a decision on school closures and will make an announcement later today. 

Military 

• Naval Air Station Pensacola, Corry Station and Saufley Field,  including National Naval Aviation Museum, Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas, etc. NASP Child Development Center, Youth Center, Navy Exchange and Commissary, and all facilities onboard the base will resume normal operations on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Power Outages

• Please do not call 9-1-1 to report power outages. Gulf Power knows when your power is out. You can track outages on their outage map from your smartphone on the Gulf Power Outage Map or report power outages online here.
• Escambia River Electric Cooperative is monitoring Hurricane Michael closely and urges members to do the same. EREC activated its emergency response plan earlier this week, alerting employees and contract crews to be on standby in case of widespread outages. Power outages for Escambia River Cooperative, Inc. can be reported to 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732. View the EREC Outage Map for updated power outage information. Never touch a fallen power line and assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged.

Road Closures
In the event that standing water makes a road impassable or there are sustained winds (NOT gusts) of 39 mph making a bridge unsafe, the specific location will be announced as soon as it occurs. Online resources include: 

• Highway 399 (J. Earle Bowden Way) is closed between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach. 
• Check for Escambia County road closures 24/7 at www.myescambia.com/roadissuesmap.
• City of Pensacola road closures can be viewed here.
• For the latest closures and updates, travelers can access Florida's 511 service from cell phones, landlines and online at www.FL511.com.

• FDOT has suspended interstate and highway maintenance and construction indefinitely to allow for an increase in traffic as motorists evacuate from the northwest Florida coastline area. Presently, no bridges are closed due to the storm and bridge inspection crews are on standby for any potential inspections. Once conditions improve, crews will go back to working around the clock to clear all roadways.

Recreational Areas

• The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, Bob Sikes Bridge Fishing Pier and Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge are closed.
• Gulf Islands National Seashore officials have closed all areas of the national seashore in Florida due to Hurricane Michael.

Disaster Fund

• Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Disaster Fund to support individuals who are impacted by Hurricane Michael. The Florida Disaster Fund helps provide financial support to Florida’s communities in times of disaster. To make a contribution, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10.
•  In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, 501(c)(3) charitable organization and are tax deductible.
• Donations may be made by credit card on the secure website at www.floridadisasterfund.org or by check to the below address. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
  

  Volunteer Florida Foundation
  Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
  3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180
  Tallahassee, FL 32311

  For additional questions about the Florida Disaster Fund, please contact info@volunteerflorida.org or call (850) 414-7400.