Watch out for Zeta

The National Weather Service of Mobile is forecasting potential local impacts from Tropical Storm Zeta to include heavy rainfall, a high rip current risk, rough surf, coastal flooding, strong winds and severe weather by the middle of next week. Details regarding the area of greatest risks and impacts will be refined as confidence increases.

While it’s still too early to determine potential impacts to Escambia County, the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center has Zeta making landfall near southeast Louisiana on Wednesday; however, there remains a lot of uncertainty regarding where Zeta will eventually make landfall along the north central Gulf coast as well as how strong Zeta will be. Nearly the entire forecast area is within the cone of uncertainty, and impacts can occur far from the center. Residents are reminded to follow official sources for storm information such as National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, Escambia County Emergency Management and City of Pensacola.

Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring this system. Residents are urged to do the same by monitoring our local media for the most up-to-date forecasts several times a day.

Residents are encouraged to prepare their disaster kits now, which should include seven days of food and water supplies for after the storm arrives. Residents are also encouraged to fuel all vehicles and generators, and prepare all medications needed by family and pets. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time. Remember, this year’s disaster kit might need to look a little different if you’re planning to go to a shelter—make sure to include face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

Sand is still available at the following locations and will be refreshed tomorrow:

• Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
• Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola, sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park -  4541 County Road 4, Pensacola

The sand is available on a first come, first serve basis. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations. View map of sand locations here.

With the possible approach of Tropical Storm Zeta, the county is focusing debris management collections. As of Friday, Oct. 23, Escambia County has collected approximately 2,414,917 cubic yards of debris throughout the county. Contractors will still be collecting debris in all areas of the county; however, this storm is predicted to make landfall on Wednesday and residents are encouraged to use the debris collections sites that have been advertised. If residents would like to drop off vegetation, they can do so from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week at the following locations. Residents need to bring ID and proof of residency.

• Baars Field, 13020 Sorrento Road (behind the Sheriff’s substation)
• Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway
• John R. Jones Athletic Complex, 555 E. Nine Mile Road
• Lexington Terrace, 900 S. Old Corry Field Road
• Oak Grove Convenience Center, 745 County Road 99
• Park East, Via De Luna Pensacola Beach
• Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola

All debris may also be taken to the Perdido Landfill. The Perdido Landfill is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, located at 13009 Beulah Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533.

Escambia County lifted the burn ban north of Nine Mile Road on Friday. The remainder of the county, south of Nine Mile Road remains under a burn ban until further notice.

Follow These Tips to Prepare for a Storm

• Know Your Zone – Go to BeReadyEscambia.com to find out which evacuation zone you are in. Sign up for alerts on BeReadyEscambia.com.
• Know Your Home – Is it newly built – possibly rated for a hurricane? Your safest place may be at home rather than a shelter due to COVID-19.
• Know Your Plan – plan ahead to stay with loved ones, friends or stay at a hotel away from the area, especially if your home was damaged from Hurricane Sally or you live along coastal areas.

Follow these tips to stay safe during severe weather:

• Pay extra attention to local weather reports until the storm has moved through the area. Be sure to keep your weather radio on and your cell phone charged to ensure you can receive weather alerts.
• With the possibility of high winds, it is recommended that any lightweight outside furniture or equipment be secured.
• Organizations with planned outside activities during this Enhanced Risk period need to be weather aware and take the appropriate actions.
• In the event of a Tornado Warning, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of your home or building. Stay away from windows.
• Turn around, don’t drown: In the event of a roadway covered by water, do not attempt to drive over the flooded road. Water depth may be misleading, and you could end up stranded or trapped.

For the latest information on severe weather impacting Escambia County, residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on myescambia.com, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter.

Stay informed with these additional local resources:

• Escambia County real-time road closures map: View Escambia County road closures map online here.
• City of Pensacola real-time road closures map: View City of Pensacola road closures map online here.
• National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola: weather.gov/mob or facebook.com/nwsmobile
• Pensacola 311 (non-emergencies only): Citizens have three easy ways to contact 311: Simply dialing 311, visiting cityofpensacola.com/311, or by downloading our Pensacola 311 mobile app, available for iPhone/iPad, Android, and Blackberry.
• City notifications: cityofpensacola.com/List.aspx