Residents Encouraged to Monitor Potential Severe Weather Overnight

Escambia County residents are encouraged to monitor potential severe weather overnight Saturday, Feb. 15 into early morning Sunday, Feb. 16.

A line of storms will move across the area later tonight into the early morning hours of Sunday, with the timing for Escambia County expected to be between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Weather Service of Mobile. Potential threats include damaging winds of up to 70+ mph and possible tornadoes, with the greatest risk area for tornadoes in the northern portion of Escambia County.

According to NWS, most of Escambia County is in an Enhanced Risk area, with the southern part of the county in a Slight Risk area.

Since this is an overnight event, ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and that your volume is loud enough to wake you up should a warning be issued.

The following advisories are also in effect for Escambia County:

• Wind Advisory: Frequent strong wind gusts around 40-45 mph. When: 9 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Where: The entire area.  
• Coastal Hazards: High Surf Advisory and High Risk of Rip Currents. When: High Surf Advisory - 9 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Sunday. High Risk of Rip Currents - 6 a.m. this morning through midnight Sunday night. Where: The entire coastline.  
• Marine Hazards: Gale Warning and Small Craft Advisory. When: Gale Warning - 9 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. Sunday. Small Craft Advisory - 6 a.m. Sunday morning through 9 a.m. Monday morning. Where: All marine waters including the bays, sounds, and adjacent gulf waters out to 60 nautical miles. 

Residents are encouraged to remain weather aware and continue monitoring the forecast for updates. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and know your safe place ahead of time. 

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 like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram for the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting our community.