East Bay Boulevard is closed at 6244 until further notice due to the road being compromised.
"The road is sinking in that location," said Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Sarah Whitfield. "The ground is probably just incredibly wet."
About 2 to 4 inches of rain have already fallen across southern Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and an additional 1-inches is possible, according to the National Weather Service's flash flood warning issued at 8:20 a.m. Monday morning.
There are already reports of standing water on roadways including State Road 87.
"We've got a lot of heavy standing water all the way up 87," a dispatcher reported over the public safety scanner. "Slow down. Use caution."
Tropical Storm Claudette formed overnight bringing drenching rains to Northwest Florida. Some flooding is expected. Stay home and stay safe until she blows through.
As Potential Tropical Cyclone Three nears the Gulf Coast, the chances of it becoming a named tropical storm diminish. According to local officials, the weather mass has the wind speed consistent with a tropical storm, but still lacks a defined center.
It will still have powerful local impacts though, primarily in terms of heavy rainfall, flash flooding and strong local wind gusts. The Gulf of Mexico remains closed to beachgoers with high surf and rip currents. Tattered double red flags flew Friday, as surfers ventured out to ride the waves.
The worst of the weather is expected overnight from Friday into Saturday.
