Residents urged to prepare for severe weather

From the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center:

Potential threats:

•             Damaging wind gusts 70+ mph

•             Tornadoes – a couple of tornadoes could be strong (EF2+)

•             Areas of flash flooding are possible

Marine hazards:

•             Gale warning in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Out to 20 NM, southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 7 to 10 ft expected. Waters from 20 to 60 NM, southeast winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 7 to 12 ft expected.

•             Storm warning in effect from 4 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Out to 20 NM, south winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft expected. Waters from 20 to 60 NM, south winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 55 kt and seas 12 to 17 ft expected.

•             Very strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, the most likely timing of severe weather in our area will be from 12 – 9 a.m. with the greatest risk for tornadoes being between 3 – 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The majority of Santa Rosa County will also be under a wind advisory from 4 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected out of the south with gusts up to 50 mph. Areas closer to the coast in the south end of the county will be under a high wind warning from 4 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected.

Prepare now for severe weather. Make sure all family members know the plan.

•             Have multiple ways of receiving alerts.

•             Clean up any items in your yard that may become projectiles due to high winds. This includes patio furniture, decorations and plants.

•             Every home should have a NOAA weather radio, the first line of defense before relying on alerts through a smartphone.

•             Smartphone weather apps are also an excellent delivery source of severe weather information and other disaster updates – especially in the overnight hours. Santa Rosa County’s alert app – AlertSantaRosa.com – provides updates on emergency incidents (hazardous materials as well as severe weather) in the county at addresses of your choice (work, school, home, etc).

•             Be sure that you have not disabled your alerts on your phone and that it is fully charged and within reach. If you use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone at night, turn it off so that any emergency calls may come through.

•             Have a kit with supplies ready to go when a tornado warning is issued. Suggested items to include are:

•             A bike helmet or some form of head protection for each family member.

•             A flashlight or electric lantern.

•             Charged cell phone power bank.

•             A whistle or air horn in the event you are trapped under debris.

•             First aid kit.

•             Know where you will go (interior rooms, basement – never a car or mobile home) if a tornado warning is issued and don’t forget your pets!

For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency. Follow Santa Rosa County Emergency Management on Facebook for weather updates.

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