Escambia County Saturday 3/15 Severe Weather Update

Escambia County is urging residents to stay weather aware and prepared as the moderate risk of severe weather is expected to arrive Saturday afternoon. 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 afternoon into the evening. 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 20-25 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.  

Escambia County Office Closures and ECAT Service Update

Due to Saturday's severe weather forecast, the following Escambia County offices will close early:

• West Florida Public Libraries
  • All locations will close at 1 p.m. All programs and events scheduled for 1 p.m. and later have been canceled. Normal library operations will resume Monday, March 17.
•  Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center
  • The Animal Welfare and the Adoption Center will close at 1 p.m. Normal hours will resume Monday, March 17.
• Escambia County Area Transit Service Update
  • Bus services will be suspended at 2 p.m. The last bus will depart from ECAT at 12 p.m. Normal operations will resume Monday, March 17.

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.

Double Red Flags at Pensacola Beach

The Pensacola Beach Lifeguards are flying double red flags at Pensacola Beach on Saturday, March 15, due to life-threatening rip currents and strong surf. Beach patrons must stay out of the Gulf while double red flags are flying.

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.