Santa Rosa County Emergency Management officials are currently monitoring Tropical Depression Fred. The storm remains weak and disorganized, but is forecast to restrengthen into a tropical storm as in enters the eastern Gulf of Mexico, according to the latest update from US National Weather Service in Mobile. No local impacts are expected through Saturday, but a potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds are possible in the area late Sunday into early Monday. There is also an increasing risk for rip currents through the weekend. Location for landfall is still uncertain, so residents are encouraged to monitor local weather reports throughout the weekend.
In anticipation of the potential for heavy rains, the county’s public works department has sand available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
- The corner of Leisure St. and Citrus Dr. in Navarre
- Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
- Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
- The corner of Pine Forest Rd. and Carroll Rd. in Milton
Residents must provide their own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased at many local hardware stores. For information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. While sandbags can help mitigate to an extent, buying flood insurance is the best protection against flood loss.
Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year. And get it sooner rather than later – flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- Visit Santa Rosa County’s Know Your Zone for evacuation zone information. Santa Rosa County recently updated the evacuation zone map as part of a statewide evacuation zone study through Florida Department of Emergency Management.
- Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com.
- Review your disaster plan and make sure it includes your pets.
- Check your disaster supply kit and replenish necessary items.
