Hurricane Michael Update Updated information is highlighted

Storm Information as Forecasted by the National Weather ServiceSanta Rosa County remains under a hurricane warning and storm surge watch. 

At 5pm EDT Tuesday, Hurricane Michael was located about 295 miles south of Panama City, FL, and moving north at 12mph.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 120 mph, a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Some additional strengthening is possible tonight, and Michael is expected to remain a strong Category 3 hurricane until landfall in the eastern Florida Panhandle on Wednesday.

Tropical storm force winds extend up to 175 miles from the center and hurricane force winds extending up to 45 miles from the center.

Michael is forecast to weaken after landfall and become a tropical storm over Southwest Georgia on Thursday, then quickly move across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina on Thursday before emerging into the Atlantic Friday morning.

For more information, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov/#michael.

Actions Taken by Santa Rosa County

Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level 2 and is staffing the EOC overnight.

The Santa Rosa Commission approved a Local State of Emergency at 9 a.m. on Mon., Oct. 8. A local state of emergency allows for the county to request assistance if needed and gives staff the approval to activate emergency plans without going through a formal board approval process.

Evacuations and shelters

While Santa Rosa County is not forecast to receive any significant flooding or storm surge, the county is forecast to receive tropical storm force winds. Sustained tropical storm force winds could require the closure of some bridges including the Navarre Causeway. Thus, residents of mobile homes, in campers or at campsites or in low-lying areas as well as Navarre Beach are recommended to evacuate. A recommended evacuation is a request for evacuation.This is not a mandatory evacuation.

Residents in those areas are encouraged to seek refuge on their own initiative and independently find accommodations in a safe area. 

Residents who choose to evacuate are reminded that you need not travel outside the county. It is often easier to shelter with family or friends who live outside the called evacuation zones, a hotel or a public shelter. 

The Milton Community Center, located at 5629 Byrom Street in Milton is pet-friendly and also equipped to accommodate those with special needs. Pet owners must stay with their pets. Those with special needs must come with their own caregiver. Pet owners and special needs residents should be registered with Santa Rosa County. 

Bring the following supplies with you to the shelter:

Wallet/purse (including personal identification

House and car keys

Eyeglasses

Medications

Proper clothing

Family pet(s)

Three days’ worth of personal supplies to meet individual needs of your family and pet(s).

Toiletries and personal items.

Blankets or sleeping bags.

Games or toys for children; books for adults.

Special items for infants or elderly family members.

Any special dietary needs.

Food and water for the first 24 hours

Shelters are opened to ensure your safety. Remember they are crowded and usually uncomfortable. It is recommended that other arrangements be made to stay at a hotel or with a friends or family in a well-constructed home out of the evacuation area that is properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds.

Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter, call (850) 983-4636. We will only provide transportation to a designated shelter.

The shelter is currently hosting approximately 45 in general population, five in special needs and four pets. The shelter will be open until Thurs. morning.

CLOSURES
Santa Rosa County Offices and Services

Santa Rosa County BOCC, Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections offices will remain closed Wed. Offices will reopen Thurs.

The BOCC Regular Meeting scheduled for Wed., Oct. 10 has been cancelled.

Lifeguards will not be on the beach Wed., Oct. 10.

Libraries are closed Wed., Oct. 10.

Animal Shelter drop boxes will closed through Wed., Oct. 10

Building inspections will be delayed this week. All inspections will be suspended Wed., Oct. 10. Delays are still likely through the end of the week.

Central Landfill will remain closed Wed., Oct. 10.

The Transportation Disadvantaged program has been suspended for Wed., Oct. 10. Service will resume on Thurs., Oct. 11. For information, call 850-626-6806.

The Navarre Pier will be closed Wed., Oct. 10.

NAS Whiting Field

NAS Whiting Field is open to mission-critical personnel only on Wed., Oct. 10. the base medical clinic and pharmacy will be closed and reopen Thurs., Oct. 11 at 7 a.m.

Waste Pro

Navarre – Collection services have been suspended for Wed., Oct. 10. Services will resume Thurs., Oct. 11. If your garbage is normally serviced on Wed. you will be serviced Sat. Recycling and yard waste collection will run one day behind. Wed. will be service on Thurs., Thurs. serviced on Fri. and Fri. serviced on Sat.

Gulf Breeze – Collection services have been suspended for Wed., Oct. 10 and will resume Thurs., Oct. 11. All collections will run one day behind for the remainder of the week.

Offices will reopen Thurs., Oct. 11; call 850-365-1900 with any questions.

Courts

State courts in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties will be closed at noon on Tues., Oct. 9 and will remain closed Wed., Oct. 10. Any further decisions regarding court operations on Thurs., Oct. 11, will be announced as soon as possible.

First Appearances set for Oct. 10 will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the Santa Rosa County Jail. 

Any detention or shelter hearings set for Oct. 10 will be conducted in Escambia County in conjunction with the Escambia County hearings.

Domestic violence Injunction hearings set for Oct. 10 are rescheduled to Oct. 17.

VOP hearings before Judge Hilliard set for Oct. 9 are rescheduled to Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Misdemeanor arraignments set before Judge Giraud on Oct. 9 are rescheduled to Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.

VOP hearings before Judge Giraud set for Oct. 10 are rescheduled to Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m.

Docket day before Judge Giraud set for Oct. 10 is rescheduled to Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m.

The truancy docket before Judge Ross Goodman set for Oct. 10 is rescheduled to Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.

Criminal motion hearings before Judge Rimmer set for Oct. 10 are rescheduled to Oct. 15.

For further updates, follow the First Circuit at https://twitter.com/1stCircuitFLor @1stCircuitFL or visit www.firstjudicialcircuit.org.

City of Milton

City of Milton offices will remain closed Wed. Offices will reopen Thurs.

City garbage services will resume Thurs. normal schedule.