The National Weather Service in Mobile is predicting severe weather conditions beginning early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. Santa Rosa County has been placed under an enhanced risk for severe weather.
Main threats:
- Tornadoes – a strong (EF2+) tornado is possible
- Damaging winds up to 70 mph
- Large hail – up to golf ball size possible
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, the threat begins in the pre-dawn hours over western portions of the forecast area and spreads east through the day. The tornado threat will quickly increase from south to north during the morning hours as a warm front surges north. One to three inches of rain with locally higher amounts are also possible. This could result in localized flooding.
Prepare now. Make sure all family members know the plan.
- Have multiple ways of receiving alerts. This cannot be stressed strongly enough.
- Every home should have a NOAA weather radio, a first line of defense before relying on alerts through a smartphone.
- Smartphone weather apps are also an excellent delivery source of severe weather information and other disaster updates – especially in the overnight hours. The National Weather Service app is available at www.weather.gov/wrn/mobile-phone. Santa Rosa County’s alert app – AlertSantaRosa.com – provides updates on emergency incidents (hazardous materials as well as severe weather) in the county at addresses of your choice (work, school, home, etc).
- Be sure that you have not disabled your alerts on your phone and that it is fully charged and within reach. If you use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone at night, turn it off so that any emergency calls may come through in the early morning hours on Friday.
- Have a kit with supplies ready to go when a tornado warning is issued. Suggested items to include are:
- A bike helmet or some form of head protection for each family member.
- A flashlight or electric lantern.
- Charged cell phone power bank.
- A whistle or air horn in the event you are trapped under debris.
- First aid kit.
- Know where you will go (interior rooms, basement – never a car or mobile home) if a tornado warning is issued and don’t forget your pets!
