Escambia County Florida Prepares For Ida

The emergency operations center in Escambia County Florida was buzzing with activity tonight, 11/8/09. They reviewed the latest Ida-data with the National Weather Service. Concern over the approaching storm lead the county commission to declare a local state of emergency.

“What that does is gives the sheriff and myself the emergency powers to go ahead and make decisions to safeguard lives and properties,” says Escambia County Administrator Robert McLaughlin.

People living in Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, areas south of Gulf Beach Highway and mobile homes are being encouraged to begin evacuations Monday morning and be somewhere else by dark.

“Conditions are going to deteriorate winds are going to increase the rains are going to begin tropical storm force winds,” says Public Information Manager Sonya Daniel. Emergency officials in Escambia County Florida say one of the things you should be doing now is preparing for this storm.

“Bring in hanging plants, bring in garden tools, garbage cans things that will blow around during the storm,” says Daniel. She says your hurricane prep-kit should be up to date with three days worth of food, medicine and other supplies. Shelters open Monday and Escambia County schools will be closed until Thursday at the earliest.

“I would close Monday because you don't know if that rain/wind event would come Monday afternoon, two we need to open shelters which happen to be in schools,” says Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. For more information on storm information in Escambia County Florida click here.