Residents Encouraged to Exercise Caution During Hard Freeze Warning

Escambia County residents are encouraged to monitor the Hard Freeze Warning forecasted to impact the county beginning Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 9 p.m. The Hard Freeze Warning is expected to continue until Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service in Mobile, Ala. has forecasted Escambia County to have temperatures reach into the upper 30s while lows potentially dropping between 10-20 degrees.

Escambia County will also be under a Wind Chill Advisory beginning Tuesday at 9 p.m. Feel-like temperatures will reach into the single digits. Hypothermia is possible if proper precautions are not taken. 

"Escambia County extends its deepest gratitude to our community partners for stepping into the gap to help the vulnerable," said Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins. "I especially want to thank Waterfront Rescue Mission for coordinating this year’s cold weather response."

Cold Weather Sheltering Information

Waterfront Rescue Mission will open its cold weather shelter for individuals seeking temporary shelter from the cold. Men can stay at Waterfront Rescue Mission at no charge, and Waterfront will work with ReEntry Alliance Pensacola to house women and children overnight. If no accommodation can be made, Waterfront will still shelter anyone during cold weather emergencies. Waterfront will remain open during the daytime to serve as a warming center for men, women and children.

The REAP Max-Well Respite Center Transitional Housing Program extends an open invitation to all mothers and their children only who do not have a place to sleep during the night. Due to a limited amount of funding and space, this invitation can only be for a maximum three-night stay, and everyone must leave by 7 a.m. Check-in hours are 6-8 p.m. unless the Pensacola Police Department or the Escambia County Sheriff's Office call or come to the door with the mother and her children. A minimum amount of documentation will be required prior to check-in.

The REAP Max-Well Respite Center is located at 2200 N. Palafox St, Pensacola, Fla. 32501. For questions, the public may call 850-549-3541 or email inquiries@reapreentry.org.

My Father's Vineyard, located at 7895 Pensacola Blvd., has also opened as a cold weather shelter for men, women and children. Check-in hours are between 6-8 p.m. until Monday, Jan. 22. No one will be admitted after 8 p.m. unless escorted by law enforcement. Breakfast and dinner will be provided. Those seeking shelter will need to leave by 8 a.m. the following morning. Additionally, ECAT will provide transportation at 8 a.m. from MFV to Waterfront Rescue Mission’s warming center. ECAT will also provide transportation back to MFV from Waterfront at 6 p.m. for overnight sheltering until Monday, Jan. 22.

The Five P's of Cold Weather Safety

• Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children, elderly family members and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
• Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter.
• Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures.
• Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
• Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Also, use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.

Space Heater Safety Tips

Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
• Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

For portable electric heaters:

• Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
• Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
• Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.

A Minute with EM

Each week, Escambia County Emergency Management publishes a new episode of "A Minute with EM." This week's episode focuses on the Hard Freeze Warning, which can be viewed here.

Additional Information

For more information, monitor the local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management, US National Weather Service Mobile and Florida SERT. 

More information on what to do before, during and after a weather event is available online at MyEscambia.com/BeReady. You can also follow @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook, and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram for the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting our community.

Weather Update from the Emergency Operation Center (Updated Jan. 16, 2024 at 7:55 a.m.)