At 3 p.m. today, Escambia County declared a local state of emergency.
The Emergency Operations Center is now at Level I, full activation. The National Weather Service is forecasting and additional 12 to 15 inches of rainfall between now and midnight Sunday night. This makes the total projected rain fall for this event between 20 and 30 inches.
Residents living in low lying areas and areas prone to flooding are encouraged to evacuate. Escambia County Emergency Management has activated its Citizen Information Line. Residents can call (850) 471â€6600 for information.
Residents are requested to stay home and not drive unless absolutely necessary. As night falls it will be more difficult to see flooded roads. If you do have to travel, do not attempt to drive across a flooded road. Turn around, don’t drown.
Several traffic lights are also out. If you approach a traffic signal that is out it must be treated as a fourâ€way stop. If the signal is flashing the side that is flashing red must yield to traffic.
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for residents affected by today’s flooding conditions. The shelter is located at East Brent Baptist Church, 4801 North Davis Highway in Pensacola. Residents should bring along their disaster kits, which include clothing, food and water and necessary supplies for any elderly or babies in the family.