Escambia County Friday 3/14 Severe Weather Update #2

Escambia County is continuing to monitor the moderate risk of severe weather that will impact the county beginning Saturday afternoon and will continue into early Sunday morning. Residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive critical alerts on their cell phones and have a plan for their home when a tornado warning is in effect. 

According to the National Weather Service of Mobile, multiple rounds of severe storms are expected Saturday through the evening and Sunday morning. All severe threats are possible, with strong, long track tornadoes being the main threat. Damaging winds up to 70+ mph and quarter-sized hail are also possible in any storms that develop.

The following advisories are also in effect for Escambia County:

• Wind Advisory: Frequent strong wind gusts around 40 mph. with sustained 25 mph winds. When: 10 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday. Where: The entire area.  
• Coastal Hazards: High Surf Advisory and High Risk of Rip Currents. When: Life-threatening Rip Currents - Friday evening through Monday. High Surf Warning - Friday evening through Sunday evening. Where: The entire coastline.  

Enable Critical Alerts on Your Cell Phone

Enabling emergency alerts on your phone is another way to stay informed and prepared during times of disaster. Is your phone set up to receive emergency notifications? Watch this short tutorial on how to enable emergency alerts on your iPhone or Android phones.

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.

Pensacola Beach Flag Warning System

Severe weather creates hazardous water conditions. As Spring Break is underway in Escambia County, it's important to know the flag warning system, especially when there is severe weather:

• Green flag - Low Hazard: Generally calms surf and currents
• Yellow flag - Medium Hazard: Moderate surf and/or currents
• Red flag - High Hazard: High surf and/or dangerous currents; beach patrons encouraged to remain out of the water
• Double red flag - Water Closed: No swimming or wading  
• Purple flag - Stinging Marine Life: Flown when jellyfish, Portuguese man o'war or other stinging marine life are present

For daily flag conditions and more information about Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, visit the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com or the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook. To sign up for flag warning system text alerts, text "PBFLAGS" to 888-777.