Hurricane Helene Update #2

Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen this morning and is expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall near Tallahassee this evening, Thursday, Sept. 26, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. While Escambia County still remains outside of the track of the storm, residents are encouraged to remain weather aware.

The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama is projecting local impacts beginning today, including rip currents and high surf through Friday, Sept. 27.

NWS has issued the following advisories for Escambia County:

• A coastal flood advisory is in effect through early Friday afternoon. Minor coastal flooding is expected around times of high tide Thursday morning through early Friday afternoon along the coastal interface of Alabama and the western Florida panhandle.
• A wind advisory is in effect starting at noon today through midnight tonight, with sustained winds up to 15-25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.

Up to 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts is forecast across south central Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Locally heavy rainfall in a short period of time could result in localized flooding of urban and low-lying areas.

Escambia County is mobilizing and deploying resources to assist areas of the state expected to be impacted by Hurricane Helene, standing ready to help neighboring counties and the state with storm preparation and recovery. Read more here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order (EO) 24-209, Emergency Management – Amending Executive Order 24-208– Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Tuesday, Sept. 24, increasing the number of counties in the state of Florida under a state of emergency to 61, including Escambia, ahead of the storm.

Escambia County is offering sand for residents living in flood-prone areas. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis and locations are open 24 hours a day. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations (map):

• 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 

Residents can sign up for Alert Escambia emergency updates through the Emergency Management website.

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 storm 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 U.S. National Weather Service (updated Sept. 26)