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Latest Headlines

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• Make-A-Wish Grants Wish For Girl, 4, With A Barbie Camper
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• 2-Month-Old Passes Away Following Escambia County Wreck

Santa Rosa Road Closures, Latest Flooding Information

·         According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Santa Rosa County received an estimated 17 inches of rain in the last 30 hours.

·         Do not remove road barricades on closed roads or bridges.  Even after the water has receded, public works crews must complete safety inspections.

Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies only. The Citizen Information Line is open for

your questions at (850) 983-INFO or 4636.

Rivers

• A flash flood warning has been issued for Big Coldwater Creek. The river is at minor flood stage of 10 feet and is expected to crest at 11 feet.
• Residents living in the lower portion of Pond Creek should monitor the water levels in their area, including water levels on the roads leading to their home. Remember conditions can change very quickly and impassable roads may prevent any necessary evacuations.
• The Blackwater and Yellow Rivers are not currently forecast to reach flood stage.

Damage Assessments

• Damage estimates for the county are not yet available. County staff are continuing to assess damages and make repairs as possible.
• Residents with flood damage can report damage online including submitting photos at http://santarosa.fl.gov/EmergencyNEW/WebDamage.cfm or by calling (850) 983-5360.
• If you have already begun repairs, be sure to take photos of the damage and keep all receipts for any repairs you make. Make sure the date is clearly visible on all receipts.

Santa Rosa County Actions

·         There were 94 emergency 9-1-1 calls from 8:30 p.m. April 29 to 8:30 a.m. April 30.

·         Sand bags are being given out from the county road & bridge department located at 6075 Old Bagdad Hwy in Milton.

·         The Florida National Guard is sending four high wheeled vehicles to help assist with rescues in flooded areas.

• Dangerous road conditions can be reported to the Santa Rosa County Road and Bridge Department at (850) 626-0191.
• County staff will begin to assess damages and make repairs as soon as it is light and safe to do so.
• The declaration of local state of emergency was signed at 10 p.m., April 29. A declaration will allow the county to implement protective actions if needed.

·         The Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center is currently at a level 2 activation, or partial activation with essential personnel.

Office Closures

·         All county offices will be closed Wednesday, April 30. Essential employees are to report to work.

·         Courts in Santa Rosa County will be closed Wednesday, April 30.  First appearances are scheduled for 1pm today at the Santa Rosa County Jail. Judge Goodman’s trial will resume at 9am on Thursday, May 1st.  Jurors should plan to report at 9am. Individuals who have hearings not included in the aforementioned may contact their attorney or the Clerk of Court for rescheduling information.

·         Santa Rosa County Health Department will be closed Wednesday, April 30.

·         Santa Rosa Sheriff non-essential personnel are not expected to work Wednesday, April 30. Law enforcement officers are to report to duty.

·         NAS Whiting Field will resume operations May 1

·         Allied Waste / Republic Services will not be running today. All customers will be serviced one day later than scheduled. In the City of Breeze, yard waste will be collected on Saturday and we will run as scheduled Thursday and Friday.

Shelter Openings

• Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom Street in Milton
• Community Life Center, 4115 Soundside Drive, Gulf Breeze
• Those needing transportation to the shelter can call (850) 983-INFO or 4626.

Schools

• The Santa Rosa County School District has canceled school for Wednesday, April 30 due to unsafe road conditions.
• Due to severe weather conditions, all Pensacola State College campuses and centers will be closed Wednesday, April 30.  This includes all classes, events, and campus activities.
• Due to severe weather conditions, all University of West Florida campuses will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses.
  Additional information regarding events and classes will be released as soon as it is available.

Closed Roads & Bridges

The following major roads are open with hazards:

•                    U.S. Hwy.  90 from Chumuckla Hwy to East Milton

·         Road block at Avalon Blvd.

Road and bridge closures:

·         S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) just south of U.S. Hwy.  90

·         U.S. Hwy. 98 intermittently. Closed intersections include:

•                    Ortega Street in Navarre

•                    Panhandle Trail in Navarre

•                    SR-87 in Navarre

·         The west end of East Bay Boulevard near Cedar Street in Navarre. The detour for those east of Cedar is Bergren Road.

·         Deaton Bridge on Deaton Bridge Road

·         Thousand Oaks in Pace

·         Fronterra Street

·         Broad Street, between Berry Hill Road and Madison Street in Milton.  The detour is Conecuh Street.

·         Venetian Way in the Gulf Breeze area is close at 2640 between Gondolier Blvd and Coronado Dr.

·         Da Lisa Road is closed from Woodville Road to Audiss Road

·         Richardson Street in Milton

·         Holley Club Road in Navarre

·         Sherwood Dive at Codell Street in Holley By The Sea is closed due to damage.  The detour will be around the block.

Significant road flooding is being reported in the areas of:

·         Woodbine Road and U.S. Hwy. 90

·         Avalon Blvd. north of Commerce Road and U.S. Hwy. 90

·         County-wide road flooding on smaller streets continues, and in some areas will take some time to recede. Standing water creates a serious road hazard including road damage that may not be visible. Additionally, the wake from passing cars can cause the homes on the street greater flooding. Please use care/find alternative routes to flooded road ways.

·         Multiple stranded vehicles have been reported on these road ways with no injuries.  Please avoid these areas and/or stay off the roads if possible. According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other thunderstorm or hurricane related hazard. Many of these casualties are a result of careless or unsuspecting motorists who attempt to navigate flooded roads. When coming to a flooded roadway to “Turn around… don’t drown!”

Storm Injuries/Rescues

• One person was transported and released from Gulf Breeze Hospital after getting caught in the water from the flooding.
• Six campers stranded at the KOA Campgrounds, 8700 Gulf Pines Drive in Milton. They are being transported to the Milton Community Center Shelter.
• Residents on Ranchette Square, Larker Woods, Green Brier and Gueseman in south Santa Rosa were rescued via Zodiacs by Midway Fire District.

Damage

• Numerous houses reporting flooding county-wide, no estimates are available at this time
• House fire in the 3900 block of Wiley Penton in Pace
• House fire on 7200 Bayshore Drive in Waterview Estates

Septic Tanks

• Water drainage and sewer pumping systems have been overwhelmed.  Whether you are on septic tank or sewer system, please avoid flushing toilets until the situation improves.
• If your septic tank has been flooded, it is likely that your toilets will not flush. Flushing may cause the untreated sewage to back-up into your home.
• It is safest to wait until the water recedes before trying to flush toilets.
• Depending on the amount of flooding or damage to your system, you may need to have a professional repair or servicing once the water recedes and the ground is less saturated.