Winter Storm Update

National Weather Service Forecast

• Santa Rosa County is      currently under a Winter Storm Watch, meaning snow, sleet or ice      accumulations are possible.
• Temperatures are      forecasted to freeze tonight and reach a high in the mid 30’s on Tuesday      and Wednesday, Jan. 28 & 29.
• Freezing rain may cause      ice accumulations of .1 to .25 inch early Tuesday morning switching to      sleet and possible snow on Tuesday afternoon in the northern area of the      county and along the coast by early evening Tuesday.
• Impacts include      dangerous travel conditions, broken tree limbs and power outages.

Closures

• Santa Rosa County      Schools are closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 28 & 29, including before and      after school activities.
• Santa Rosa County      offices are closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 28 & 29.
• Courts in Santa Rosa      County are closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 28 & 29.

Actions Taken by the County

In preparation for the low temperatures, Santa Rosa County has taken the following steps:

• A local state of      emergency was enacted at noon Jan. 27.  Declaring a local state of      emergency allows the county to make formal requests to the state and FEMA      for assistance if needed.
• The emergency operations      center is at a level two, or partial activation with essential staff,      until 6:30 p.m. on Monday and will resume at a level two at 7 a.m. Tuesday      until further notice.
• The Citizens Information      Line is open.  Citizens may call (850) 983-INFO (4636) with      questions.
• The American Red Cross      is on standby to open a public warming shelter if needed for any long-term      power outages.

Roads & Bridges

• Public works has sand on      standby to place on roadways. Staff will monitor our bridges during the      freezing rain, sleet, and snow periods to determine when or if it is      appropriate to apply sand.  If a bridge is deemed by staff or law      enforcement to be unsafe to cross because of the layer of ice, barricades      will be placed until sand and/or scraping takes place and the bridge is      passable again.
• Any road closures will      be announced as they occur.

Cold Weather Shelters

• If the temperature      cannot be maintained at your home, make temporary arrangements to stay      elsewhere, including with friends and family.  Two cold weather      shelters for the homeless and those who are not able to maintain heat in      their homes are available Monday- Wednesday:
  • Ferris Hill Baptist       Church located at 6848 Chaffin Street in Milton and
  • Community of Christ       Church located at 2111 Presidio Street in Navarre
• The shelters will open      on the following dates and times:
  • Monday night – those       who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 p.m. to       8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday night – shelter       opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
  • Wednesday night – those       who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 p.m. to       8:30 p.m.
• The shelters are for      people who are homeless or heatless, can care for themselves, and are not      at risk to themselves or others.  No one will be admitted to the      shelter that is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and are unable to      walk unaided or are disoriented.

Cold Weather Safety

• Citizens are urged to      remember the five P’s of cold weather:
  • Protect People: Remember to dress in       layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of       the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and       the elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to       cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home,       make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and       family or at one of the cold weather shelters.
  • Protect Pets: If cold weather is in       the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm       shelter to stay in.
  • Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive       plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
  • Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow       outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
  • Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources       indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release       carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space       heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.       In the event of long-term power outages, be extremely careful when using       generators, lanterns, gas powered appliances or when cooking on charcoal       grills or gas grills. These appliances produce dangerous levels of carbon       monoxide which is a deadly, invisible and odorless gas that can cause poisoning       in only a matter of minutes.  Equipment or appliances that produce       carbon monoxide should never be used indoors. Opening doors and windows       or using fans will not stop carbon monoxide build-up.

Driving Safety

Ice and possible snow on most roadways is expected. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management asks residents to take special precautions when driving:

• Drive according to the      conditions on the road. Remember bridges, overpasses and infrequently      traveled roads will freeze first.
• Allow extra time to get      to your destination.
• Keep your distance. The      distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as under normal driving      circumstances. Keep at least a three-car distance from the vehicle      directly in front of you.
• Don’t use cruise control      on icy roads.

• To avoid skidding break      gently and if your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake. Applying      pressure to your brakes while on ice will cause a vehicle to skid. Brake      only during your approach.

General Safety Information

• www.santarosa.fl.gov      or follow us on Twitter at @SRCBOCC
• 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:  www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/publicwarning.html.

Santa Rosa County Division of Emergency Management’s latest all-hazards disaster guide is now available online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/news/factsheet/2013%20Disaster%20Guide.pdf or at county offices and libraries, local chambers of commerce, and local