Residents Encouraged to Monitor Potential Severe Weather Thursday

With an Enhanced Risk of severe weather for the Escambia County area predicted by the U.S. National Weather Service of Mobile, Escambia County is encouraging residents to monitor the forecast for Thursday, April 18 and take precautions as needed. 

Potential threats include damaging winds (possibly greater than 70 mph), tornadoes and 1-3 inches of rainfall, according to NWS Mobile. A strong tornado is also possible. The severe weather is expected to arrive between 7 p.m. Thursday night and 2 a.m. Friday morning. 

According to NWS Mobile, a squall line will move across our region beginning late Thursday afternoon. Damaging winds in excess of 70 mph are possible as well as embedded tornadoes. A limited flooding threat is possible. Locally heavy rainfall in a short period of time could contribute to urban or minor flooding in some areas. High surf is expected to build to 5-8 feet late Thursday afternoon through Friday, with dangerous rip currents present.
 
Follow these tips to stay safe during severe weather:

• Pay extra attention to local weather reports until the storm has moved through the area. Be sure to keep your weather radio on and your cell phone charged to ensure you can receive weather alerts. 
• With the possibility of high winds, it is recommended that any lightweight outside furniture or equipment be secured before dark Thursday evening.
• Organizations with planned outside activities during this Enhanced Risk period need to be weather aware and take the appropriate actions.
• In the event of a Tornado Warning, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of your home or building. Stay away from windows.
• Turn around, don't drown: In the event of a roadway covered by water, do not attempt to drive over the flooded road. Water depth may be misleading, and you could end up stranded or trapped.

For the latest information on severe weather impacting Escambia County, residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on myescambia.com, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter.