Update on Alberto
4 p.m. Friday, May 25 – The Santa Rosa County Emergency Management staff are closely monitoring the situation along with the National Weather Service in Mobile. Residents and visitors are encouraged to do the same.
Current Weather Situation
Scattered to numerous showers and storms developing today could become locally strong, producing brief strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and localized heavy rainfall.
A few storms could become severe with the main threat being damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.
Winds, waves and seas will be locally higher in and near scattered to numerous storms. Frequent cloud-to-water lightning likely in the stronger marine storms. Morning waterspouts possible.
Storm Forecast
Subtropical Storm Alberto is an impending multi-day rainfall event unfolding to produce significant flooding. The earliest reasonable time of arrival of tropical storm force winds along the coast would be Sunday morning. However, the most likely time this area could see tropical storm force winds would be overnight Sunday into early Monday. Impacts will include significant flash flooding, deadly rip currents, high surf and coastal flooding.
Weather Advisories, Watches and Warnings
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for our area.
A high surf advisory is in effect from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday night.
A coastal flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday night.
A flash flood watch is in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday evening.
What You Can Do to Prepare for Hurricane Season
This subtropical storm is good practice for the upcoming hurricane season.
Find your flood zone (www.santarosa.fl.gov/knowyourzone).
Review your disaster plan. Where would you go if you should need to evacuate? Where would you seek shelter if there were a tornado warning?
Check and freshen your supplies. The first 72 are on you!
Check for loose limbs in trees around your home.
Rip Currents
A high risk of rip currents will last through the start of next week. Rip currents are our number one danger and will remain after the storm is out of the area. Follow the beach flag warning system and obey lifeguard direction. High surf with waves of five feet and higher can be expected.
Graduation Ceremonies
The Santa Rosa School Board graduation ceremonies for Gulf Breeze, Pace and Navarre high schools are still scheduled on May 26 as planned.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Opal Beach complex/picnic area will be closed for day use at noon; gates will be closed at 5 p.m. Park status updates will be posted online at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands and the national seashore operates a severe weather hotline at (850) 934-2656.
Memorial Day Ceremonies
The Veterans Memorial Plaza’s annual Memorial Day ceremony in Milton has been cancelled due to weather.
In the south end of the county, the Memorial Day ceremony in Navarre Park has also been cancelled.
Sand Bags
The county’s public works department has sand available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
Leisure Street in Holley by the Sea
Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
The corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton
Those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas should pay special attention and make preparations now. Bring your own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased for less than 50 cents each at local hardware stores, including Hall’s Hardware in Milton and Lowe’s in Pace/Pea Ridge. For more information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (www.flash.org).
Roads and Bridges
Bridges are closed only when Florida Highway Patrol or local law enforcement confirm sustained winds of 39 mph or greater on location. No roads or bridges are closed in advance. If one bridge closes, it does not necessarily mean all bridges are closed. Santa Rosa County road closures are posted at www.santarosa.fl.gov. State and interstate road and bridge closures (highways 87, 89, 90, 98, I-10, Avalon Blvd. and Garcon Point Bridge) are posted at www.fl511.com.
For more information on current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. Sign up for local weather and other disaster alerts at www.alertsantarosa.com. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency.
