Santa Rosa County Weather Update

Actions by Santa Rosa County

County staff are continuing to assess damages and make repairs as possible.
Residents with flooding damage are asked to call (850)981-7000 to arrange for a building inspector to complete a flood damage assessment. This free assessment will advise you of the safety of your home and will give you the necessary paperwork to complete insurance claims.
Dangerous road conditions can be reported to the Santa Rosa County Road and Bridge Department at (850)626-0191.
The declaration of local state of emergency was signed at 10 a.m. March 31. A declaration will allow the county to implement protective actions if needed.
Due to the potential of severe weather today, the emergency operations center is at minimal level 2 activation with essential staff only.
Emergency management and public works crews will continue to monitor areas around the county.

Weather Outlook

According to Mobile Weather, Santa Rosa County can expect showers with slight chance of severe storms during the afternoon today.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected late tonight and early tomorrow morning, with a moderate risk for isolated severe storms through the day tomorrow. Thursday evening more severe storms with the chance of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes, with a possible additional one to two inches of rain are forecasted.
Rain is expected to cause standing water and minor flooding in low-lowing areas that typically flood during heavy rain. Drivers are asked to heed any road and bridge closures.
All rivers are below flood stage. At this time, forecasters do not anticipate any widespread flooding. However, flooding conditions in the basins affected by rising waters earlier this week may see waters rise. Flooding is not expected to reach the levels of Sunday and Monday. Residents living around those areas are asked to continue to monitor water levels near their homes and take protective measures as needed.
Please monitor your home weather radio and local media outlets for the most up-to-date information.

Roads with Localized Flooding- current

Hay-lo Road at Johnson Road
Donald Jernigan Road at Munson Highway
Henderson Smith at Double Curve
Chumuckla Highway at Brook Forest Way
Allentown Road from 89 to Central School Road
Hwy. 182 at Three Hollow Drive
Neal Kennington Road at Springhill Road
Pine Blossom Road
Munson Highway near Cold Water Flats
Indian Ford Road
Chumuckla Highway near Howell Pit and Chippewa Road
Hwy. 87 and Bullard Road

Road Closure/Impassable Roads- current

Wallace Lake Road at Serenity Springs Road
Riverwood Road
Lakeside Court
River Landing Road
River Road
Fisher Old Mill Road, from intersection of Deer Lake Road East (dirt road portion only)

Bridge Closures- current

The listed bridges and any other county maintained bridges that are flooded, should not be crossed until public works inspections have been completed, after the water recedes. Motorist should always avoid crossing flooded streets and should never attempt to cross flooded bridges.

Amos Cabaniss Road
Burnt Grocery Creek
Penton Bridge
Wagner Bridge on Springhill Road
Red Rock Bridge
Hamilton Bridge
Jones Bridge/Walling Road
Deaton Bridge Road

Flooding

A home on Tango Lane in Harold reported two feet of water in their home, no assistance needed.
Several homes in Allentown have water up to and possibly in their home.
Flood levels in the residential and rural areas around the basins of Blackwater River in East Milton have greatly receded and some of the roads are now open. The public should still use extreme caution in those areas.
Staff will continue to monitor all local rivers and flooded areas.

Reported Tornado

At 3:45 p.m. on March 31, witnesses reported a tornado passing 20 feet above the Blackwater Fish Hatchery on Bryant Bridge Road near Holt. Damage estimates are $10,000 to a building and $10,000 to pond aerators.
Gulf Power Company reports 42 customers in that area are without power due to a tree on a power line. Power was restored at 1:40 p.m.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross will be in our county today passing out clean-up kits and providing water and snacks to the most impacted areas. If residents need assistance from the American Red Cross, they can call their toll free number at 1-800-773-7620.

Driving Safety Tips

When driving, please follow these safety tips:

The number one rule of rain weather driving is to slow down. Oil deposits on the road become slippery when combined with rain. The slower you go, the more traction you’ll have. Be extra careful at intersections where oil deposits are typically greatest.
Leave extra space between you and the driver in front of you. It takes more time to stop your car in wet weather.
Use your headlights. Headlights not only help you see better, but it also helps oncoming drivers see your vehicle.
Avoid standing water. Not only is it difficult to judge the depth of standing water, but the water could also be covering a pothole which could damage your car.
Stay in the center lanes where the road is highest and avoid lane changes. Water pools tend to collect along the curb and between lanes. The deeper the water, the harder it is to maintain control of your vehicle.
Take special care when following or passing trucks. Trucks can generate a large spray, making it difficult to see the road and other vehicles.
Slow down by either taking your foot off the accelerator or braking lightly. Always avoid having to come to a quick stop.

General Safety Information

Please monitor your home weather radio and local media outlets for the most up-to-date information.
Your best defense in any disaster is a NOAA Weather radio.
Citizens can signup to automatically receive breaking news alerts from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management via e-mail or as a text message on their cell phone at: http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/publicwarning