Hurricane Sally Update #2

• On Monday, Sept. 14, Escambia County issued resolution R2020-124, declaring a state of local emergency due to imminent threat of Hurricane Sally.
• Escambia County Emergency Operation Center has been activated at a level 2 due to COVID-19 and will be activated for Hurricane Sally beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7 a.m. We will continue to closely monitor the situation over the next 72 hours to provide our residents with the most up-to-date information. 
• A voluntary hurricane evacuation was issued for Escambia County evacuation zone A on Monday, Sept. 14. This area includes Perdido Key, Innerarity Point, Pensacola Beach and other low lying areas. The Pensacola Bay Center will open at 8 p.m. tonight as a hurricane risk shelter. Please take this notice seriously. The storm could potentially shift more to the east. If you live in a mobile home or have special needs, you should consider evacuation no matter the zone in which you live.
• Public works crews are implementing their storm preparation protocol which includes fueling of equipment, stocking vehicles, placing employees on standby for after-hours road clearing, removing trash cans and lifeguard towers from Pensacola Beach, and checking drainage systems.
• County offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 16.

• The Perdido Landfill and Palafox Transfer Station will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 16. A decision about Thursday will be made tomorrow.

• All meetings have been canceled tomorrow including the Board of Electrical Examiners, the Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission, Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors and Extension Council. The Board of Adjustment meeting will be canceled Wednesday, Sept. 16. 
• Pensacola Beach Lifeguards are flying red flags on Pensacola Beach. The water is closed to swimming and wading.

• As a reminder, residents are encouraged to prepare their disaster kits now, which should include seven days of food and water supplies for after the storm arrives. Residents are also encouraged to fuel all vehicles and generators, and prepare all medications needed by family and pets. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time. Remember, this year's disaster kit might need to look a little different if you must go to a shelter—make sure to include face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

  With possible flooding forecast for our area, please do not drive into hazardous flood water and remember to Turn Around Don't Drown®. Follow these flood safety tips: 

  • Get to higher ground – Get out of areas subject to flooding.
  • Do not drive into water – Do not drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6" of water to knock you off your feet and 2 feet of water to carry away a vehicle. 
  • Stay informed – Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates. 

• Baars Field Athletic Park - 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park - 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park - 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center - 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department - 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola 
• Ferry Pass Middle School - 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola, sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park - 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park -  4541 County Road 4, Pensacola 
• (NEW) 12950 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola (behind the Sheriff's sub station)

The sand is available on a first come, first serve basis. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations. View map of sand locations here. (Map does not include new location on Gulf Beach Highway.)

Weather Update from National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center

• Sally has strengthened to a hurricane and is expected to make landfall in coastal Mississippi.
• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Escambia County. 
• A Flash Flood Watch for Escambia County is in effect through Wednesday evening.
• Coastal areas along Northwest Florida can expect significant flash flooding, with rainfall totals between 10 to 20 inches and localized amounts of between 25 to 30 inches. Inland areas can expect 6 to 10 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts of 10 to 20 inches. 
• A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Escambia County. 
• Escambia County has the potential to receive sustained Tropical Storm force winds through Wednesday with gusts of Tropical Storm Force winds inland.
• A potentially long duration of excessive rain could lead to flooding, with 10 to 15 inches of rain expected through Wednesday.
• High rip current risk through the end of the week.
• High surf of 8-12 feet through the end of the week.
• Isolated tornadoes possible.

• Theo Baars Bridge and Lillian Bridge are now closed per the Sheriff’s Office.
• Three Mile Bridge is closed due to sustained winds of 40 MPH per FDOT. Garcon Point Bridge is still open at this time. Tolls are being suspended on the Garcon Point Bridge per Santa Rosa County.
• View Escambia County Road Closures at https://myescambia.com/our-services/publicworks/road-issues/road-issues-map
• The following roads are closed in the City of Pensacola due to flooding. Real-time road closures are available on the city's road closures map.
• 17th Avenue at the CSX railroad trestle/Graffiti Bridge
• DeVilliers Street at Main Street
• Interstate 110 at the Interstate 10 ramp 
• 9th Avenue at Romana Street
• 6th Avenue at Highland Drive
• Sonia Street at K Street
• Coyle Street at Main Street
• Main Street at G Street
• Main Street from Baylen to Clubbs Street
• Government Street from Reus Street to Clubbs Street
• J Street south of Cedar Street
• The River Flood Warning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park remains in effect from this evening until further notice. Major, near-record flooding is forecast. The river is forecast to crest at 26.0 feet. At 26.3 feet, record flooding is expected similar to Hurricane Georges in 1998; River Annex Road, Ruby's Fish Camp, Hurst Hammock Road, Seminole Landing, Adventures Perdido River, and River Bend Estates are flooded. At 24.06 feet, water enters the first floor of houses on stilts just north of Adventures Perdido River. 

• Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-224 declaring a state of emergency in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

 Escambia County River Electric

• Escambia River Electric Cooperative is monitoring Hurricane Sally closely and urges members to do the same. EREC activated its emergency response plan earlier this week, alerting employees to take necessary measures in preparation for the storm. Should our area sustain widespread outages, EREC has coordinated with our statewide association for additional crews to arrive and assist as soon as conditions are safe to do so.

View the EREC outage map via www.erec.com for up to date power outage information. Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s telephone number to report outages is 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732.

NAS Pensacola

• Due to potential inclement weather from Hurricane Sally, Naval Air Station Pensacola will curtail normal operations and will be in Condition of Readiness as of Monday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. Only mission essential personnel are required to report for duty. COR I means that destructive force winds (50 mph) are forecasted within 12 hours. No personnel evacuations have been ordered at this time. Aircraft from Training Air Wing SIX will be hangered on board the installation.

City of Pensacola

The following City of Pensacola offices and facilities will be closed to the public Tuesday, Sept. 15 due to Hurricane Sally:

• City of Pensacola administrative offices
• City Hall
• City of Pensacola community resource centers (Closure includes feeding programs and mask distribution)

Sanitation Pickup Changes

City of Pensacola Sanitation customers will also experience a change in their pickup schedule this week due to Hurricane Sally:

• City of Pensacola Sanitation Services will not operate on Tuesday, Sept. 15. 
• Tuesday customers will receive service on Wednesday, Sept. 16, weather permitting. 
• Wednesday customers will receive service on Thursday, Sept. 17, weather permitting. 
• Thursday customers will receive service on Friday, Sept. 18, weather permitting. 
• There will not be any yard waste pickup or special collections of bulk waste items this week for City of Pensacola Sanitation customers. 

• Several roadways in the City of Pensacola have been closed due to flooding from Hurricane Sally.
  
  The following roads are closed:

  • Pensacola Bay Bridge
  • 17th Avenue at the CSX railroad trestle/Graffiti Bridge
  • DeVilliers Street at Main Street
  • Interstate 110 at the Interstate 10 ramp 
  • 9th Avenue at Romana Street
  • 6th Avenue at Highland Drive
  • Sonia Street at K Street
  • Coyle Street at Main Street
  • Main Street at G Street
  • Main Street from Baylen to Clubbs Street
  • Government Street from Reus Street to Clubbs Street
  • J Street south of Cedar Street

  More road closures are expected. Real-time road closures are available on the city's road closures map.

  Drivers are asked to stay off the roads. Never drive into hazardous flood water, and remember to Turn Around Don't Drown®. Follow these flood safety tips: 

  • Get to higher ground – Get out of areas subject to flooding.
  • Do not drive into water – Do not drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6" of water to knock you off your feet and 2 feet of water to carry away a vehicle. 
  Stay informed – Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates.

Meeting Updates

• Canceled: Tuesday, Sept. 15 Planning Board Meeting
• Rescheduled: Tuesday, Sept. 15 Citizens Police Advisory Meeting
• Canceled: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting 

Please stay tuned to the City of Pensacola's website and Facebook page for updates on Hurricane Sally and impacts to city services and meetings. 

Baptist Health Care

• In anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Sally along the Gulf Coast and to ensure the safety of our patients and staff, please see the following updates regarding Baptist Health Care facilities for Tuesday, Sept. 15:
• Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital inpatient care, scheduled elective surgeries/procedures and emergency departments will remain open.
• Inpatient services and emergency departments will remain open.
• The following outpatient services at the hospitals will be closed: radiation and infusion therapies, wound care, physical rehabilitation, lab and imaging.
• All Baptist Medical Group physician offices will be closed.
• Outpatient services at the following locations will be closed:
  • Andrews Institute*
  • Baptist Medical Park – Pace
  • Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile*
  • Baptist Medical Park – Airport
  • Baptist Medical Park – Navarre
  • (*Including ambulatory surgery centers)

• Plans are to open Wednesday or as soon as weather conditions improve and travel is safe for our patients and staff. 

Schools, Colleges & Universities 

Pensacola International Airport

• As of 6 p.m. today, Sept. 14, Pensacola International Airport will be closed to all arriving and departing aircraft. Passengers will not be allowed to stay in the terminal building. PNS will remain closed until weather (wind speeds, rain, etc) allow for safe operation. Passengers with flights in or out of PNS tonight or tomorrow should contact their airlines for rescheduling and updates.

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority

• Sanitation collections for ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa County for Tuesday, Sept. 15, have been canceled following the announced closures of the Perdido and Central Landfills. Information on the resumption of collections will be posted after the re-opening of each landfill is determined by their respective county. Please check this post, our website, or local media sources for updates.

• All ECUA business offices will close at 3 p.m. today, Monday, Sept. 14 and will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 15 in anticipation of Hurricane Sally.  At this time, we expect our offices to re-open on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

• The ECUA Citizens' Advisory Committee  meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15 has been rescheduled to Thursday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. More information here. 

The First Judicial Circuit Courts

• The First Judicial Circuit courts in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County will be CLOSED on Tuesday, September 15.  Walton County courts will close at noon on Tuesday, September 15. 

Gulf Islands National Seashore

• Gulf Islands National Seashore has closed the Fort Pickens, Perdido Key/Johnson Beach, Santa Rosa/Opal Beach and Okaloosa areas and evacuated Fort Pickens campground. The areas will remain closed until further notice.

• Highway 399, J. Earl Bowden Way, also closed Sunday night ahead of the storm.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

• Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart – closed Tuesday, Sept. 14
• FDOH-Escambia Downtown Center – closed Tuesday, Sept. 14
• FDOH-Escambia at Publix (9th Ave. and Bayou Blvd.) – closed Tuesday, Sept. 14
• Community Health Northwest Florida – closed Tuesday, Sept. 14
• Community Health Northwest Florida Cantonment Pediatrics – closed Wednesday, Sept. 15
• UWF – closed through Tuesday, Sept. 15
• View additional testing site information here. 

• COA’s social services department is calling all clients in high-risk areas to advise them of options and determine their readiness for the storm.
• The Retreat adult day care will be closed through Wednesday, Sept. 16.
• Pre-packaged to-go meals distributed from churches and community centers in Santa Rosa will cease operation Tuesday, Sept. 15 and resume Wednesday, Sept. 16.
• Meals on Wheels will also be suspended Tuesday, Sept. 15. Individuals scheduled to receive meals on Tues. will receive their meals on Wednesday.
• To mitigate the risk caused by missed meal-delivery, many high-risk individuals were given shelf-stable, long-lasting meals at the start of hurricane season.
• For questions on Council on Aging programs and services, call 850- 432-1475.

Storm Preparation Actions you can Take Now

• Review/make your family plan. Need help? Read more on how to care for your family here. 
• Know your zone. Look up your address online here. You can search by address or parcel number and then look for the “Emergency Management Report.” The address function is self-populating, so type slowly and then choose the address from the drop down list.
• Restock your disaster kit supplies/get a kit. Your disaster kit should have at least three days of nonperishable food and three gallons of water for each person and pet in your home, along with other supplies. Click here to see our latest disaster kit shopping list.
• Prep your yard.  As we are entering the height of hurricane season, it is also recommended that residents take a few minutes to inspect their home and yard. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your home and sheds. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and down spouts. Trim trees and shrubs around your home.  
• Stay informed. Things can change quickly. Be sure you take time every day to monitor the local media. Escambia County also has several tools available for our residents. Learn more here. Monitor local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management, US National Weather Service Mobile, and NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center.