Latest Update from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management

Storm information as forecast by the National Weather Service:

• Fred has regained tropical storm status.
• The center has formed further to the north and east which has resulted in a shift east of the storm track. An additional eastward shift cannot be ruled out. 
• The storm will remain sheared which will keep all of the hazardous weather impacts along and to the east of the storm track. 
• Threats for heavy rain and flooding, tropical storm force winds, high surf, minor coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents are greatest across portions of the western Florida Panhandle, especially east of Navarre. 
• A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect. Some portion of this watch could be discontinued later today if the eastward trend continues. 
• A flash flood watch is in effect from this evening through Tuesday afternoon.
• Minor coastal flooding of one to three feet above the ground level is possible across immediate coastal areas of the western Florida Panhandle, especially Navarre eastward. 
• Coast Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory from 7 p.m. Sunday evening to 1 p.m. Tuesday
• High rip current risk from this evening through late Tuesday night
• High surf warning from 1 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday

Santa Rosa County

On Sun., Aug. 15, Santa Rosa County declared a local state of emergency due to the potential threat of Tropical Storm Fred. The state of emergency declared on Friday evening by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis includes Santa Rosa County. 

Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level 3 (monitoring) status and plans to go to a Level 2 partial activation at 8 a.m., Mon., Aug. 16.

• The citizen information line is open, 850-983-INFO (4636).
• There are no evacuation orders and no shelters open at this time.
• Sand is available at the following locations (must bring sand bags and shovel): 
  • The corner of Citrus and Leisure streets in Navarre
  • Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Ln. in Midway/Gulf Breeze
  • Pace Fire Rescue, 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd. in Pace
  • The corner of Carroll and Pine Forest Road in Milton
• Residents must provide their own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased at many local hardware stores. For information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.

Santa Rosa County School District

• The school district is expected to make a decision on school closures/cancellation of after-school activities by 5 p.m. Sunday and will share those details on social media, on their website and by phone call outs.

City of Milton

• The city is monitoring Tropical Storm Fred at this time. The city expects normal operations Mon., Aug. 16. The city encourages all citizens to make preparations now for a potential landfall in our area. Any changes to the city’s status will be share via media and social media. 

NAS Whiting Field

• NAS Whiting Field is currently at Condition of Readiness 4 (COR4). COR 4 indicates the potential exists for a tropical storm or hurricane in our region. NAS Whiting Field is watching weather developments closely.

EREC

• Fred’s current projected path increases the possibility of impacts to the EREC service area. We are closely monitoring this storm and urge our members to do so as well. EREC crews are prepared and ready to respond to any power outages that may occur as a result of potential Tropical Storm Fred. Should the storm cause damage to the EREC service area, members can view our outage map for up-to-date information via www.erec.com or the EREC mobile app.
• EREC’s electric meters are designed to automatically detect and report power outages, but members are asked to notify them of any disruption in their electric service in case the meter signal is obstructed. Here are three options for outage reporting:
  • Call the EREC outage number at 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732.
  • Login to your account via erec.com and click the “Outage” tab.
  • Download EREC’s free mobile app through Apple and Android app stores. Login to your account, press the right arrow, and choose “Report an Outage” from the menu.

Traffic Conditions

• Bridges are not closed in advance of a storm and not all bridges will close at the same time. Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement close bridges when sustained winds are greater than 39 mph.
• Heavy rain may quickly flood low-lying areas including roads and bridges.
• Standing water creates a serious road hazard, even when only a portion of the roadway is flooded. Turn around, don’t drown!
• Dangerous road conditions can be reported to (850) 983-5372.
• County road and bridge closures are posted online.
• Florida road closures are available at www.fl511.com or a free phone call to 511.

Power Outages

• In the event that residents experience a power outage, they are asked to not call 9-1-1 to report power outages. Power outages should be reported to Gulf Power at 1-800-GU-Power (1-800-487-6937) or Escambia River Cooperative, Inc. at 1-877-OUT-EREC (1-877-688-3732).

Steps Residents Should Take Now

• Visit Santa Rosa County’s Know Your Zone for evacuation zone information. Santa Rosa County recently updated the evacuation zone map as part of a statewide evacuation zone study through Florida Department of Emergency Management.
• Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com. 
• Review your disaster plan and make sure it includes your pets. 
• Check your disaster supply kit and replenish necessary items.
• With the chance of tropical storm force wind gusts, bring in or secure items which could blow away including lawn furniture, wind chimes, swings and bird feeders.

For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency or pick up a disaster guide at Santa Rosa County Emergency Management, 4499 Pine Forest Rd. in Milton.