Hurricane Irma Update #3
Sunday - September 10 - 5:00 p.m.
All updates are highlighted and in bold.
 
Current situation
 
  • There are no evacuations ordered for Santa Rosa County residents.
  • Santa Rosa County Emergency Operation Center is at a level 3, or monitoring level. We will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Irma and any impacts it may have on our area.
  • No bridge closures are anticipated due to wind, but we will monitor wind speeds to ensure safety. Santa Rosa County works with law enforcement to close bridges for safety at sustained wind speeds (not gusts) typically of 39 MPH or greater. The current forecast does not show sustained winds of that speed.
  • The most significant impacts associated with Irma are expected to remain east of our area. Breezy northeasterly to northerly winds 20-25 mph (with gusts up to 40 mph) will be likely, especially Monday and Monday night. We are not expecting flash flooding, storm surge or tornadoes.
Host Sheltering
  • West Florida Baptist Church located at 5621 Highway 90 in Milton opened Saturday, Sept. 9 as a pet-friendly host shelter for evacuees from central/south Florida. Pets must be in crates to be allowed in the shelter. This site also has parking for large vehicles - there are no power hook-ups.
  • Evacuees with RVs who need lots can call the information line at (850) 983-INFO (4636).
  • Christian Life Church located at 4401 Avalon Boulevard in Milton opened at noon Friday, Sept. 8 as a general population host shelter for evacuees from central/south Florida. It is not a pet friendly or special needs shelter. A second shelter is on standby should this shelter reach capacity.
Closures
  • Santa Rosa County offices (except for the tax collector's office) will be open Monday, Sept. 11.
  • The Santa Rosa County Tax Collector's Office will be closed Monday, Sept. 11 due to their support system in Tallahassee being offline.
  • The Santa Rosa County Department of Health will be closed on Friday, September 8 and is scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 11, weather permitting.
  • Per Governor Scott's orders, all Santa Rosa County schools as well as all state colleges, universities and state offices will be closed Friday, Sept. 8 through Monday, Sept. 11. Unless weather conditions change or shelters are opened in the schools, Santa Rosa County schools will reopen Tuesday.
Actions Taken in Santa Rosa County
  • Santa Rosa County has made limited supplies of sand available at no cost at several locations. Sand bags supplies were depleted but more are on order at local home improvement stores (Hall's Hardware in Milton, Lowe's in Midway and Pace). Filled sand bags are still available at Hall's Hardware in Milton and Home Depot and Lowe's in Pace. Bring shovels to fill and load your own bags.
    • Leisure Street at Citrus Drive in Holley By the Sea
    • Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
    • Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
    • The corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton
  • The June Ates Arena at Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds, 8604 Bobby Brown Road in Milton, began accepting horses at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 on a first-come, first-serve basis for evacuees from Central/South Florida. Stalls are limited. Bring your own feed/hay or some will be available for purchase. Call 850-390-3227 or 850-623-1115 for more information. 
Actions Taken by the State
  • Per Governor Scott's office, all tolls, including Garcon Point Bridge, have been suspended throughout Florida through the duration of the storm's impacts to the state.
  • At this time, all courts within the First Judicial Circuit of Florida (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton) will remain open Friday, September 8. For news and announcements concerning the courts of the First Judicial Circuit, you may visit www.FirstJudicialCircuit.org or follow on Twitter.
Volunteering
  • Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Disaster Fund to support individuals who are impacted by Hurricane Irma. The Florida Disaster Fund helps provide financial support to Florida's communities in times of disaster. To make a contribution, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10.
  • Please do not donate unsolicited goods such as new or used clothing, miscellaneous household items, medicine, or perishable food at this time. When used personal items are donated, the helping agencies must redirect their staff away from providing direct services to survivors in order to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors. Cash donations offer voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations the most flexibility to address urgently developing needs.
  • Volunteer Florida is coordinating with volunteer organizations across the state and has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide shelter operations training to volunteers and AmeriCorps grantees. Floridians who would like to volunteer can register at redcross.org/volunteer.
General Information
  • Residents have done a great job preparing for this storm. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management thanks you for being proactive.
  • More information is available in our latest all-hazards disaster guide online or at county offices and libraries, local chambers of commerce, and local retailers.
  • Your best defense in any disaster is a NOAA Weather radio.
  • Citizens may call (850) 983-INFO (4636) with questions.
  • Visit www.floridadisaster.org to find information on shelters, road closures and evacuation routes.
  • The Florida Emergency Information Line has been activated and is available 24/7 for families and visitors at 1-800-342-3557.
  • Visit fl511.com for a real time traffic map with travel times, traffic accident details, traffic cameras

     
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