In an unprecedented weather event, Pensacola experienced record-breaking snowfall, prompting a comprehensive emergency response led by Mayor D.C. Reeves and his team. The historic storm left our coastal city grappling with unfamiliar winter conditions, challenging local infrastructure and emergency services.
“As a native Pensacolian, I never thought I would see anything like this,” Mayor Reeves said. “While the mayor enjoyed watching his daughter play in the snow—a rare sight in the Florida Panhandle——is primary focus remained on public safety.
The city’s emergency response included deploying 44 personnel, including 14 snowplow operators and approximately 30 Public Works team members, who worked through the night to clear 17 critical roadways. Their efforts proved crucial when emergency services responded to an early morning fire on C Street with a remarkable four-minute response time, despite the hazardous conditions.
One of the city’s major concerns is the potential for black ice formation as temperatures drop in the evening hours tonight. “We can’t rest on our laurels… now my street out front of my house looks good. But when three or four o’clock sets in, because of the temperature, we’re expecting that to freeze again,” Reeves cautioned, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
The storm’s impact extended to critical infrastructure, including the Pensacola International Airport, where crews are working today to clear snow-covered tarmacs. The Three Mile Bridge reopened around noon but operating at reduced capacity, with officials advising drivers to maintain speeds below 40 mph for safety.
Despite the challenging conditions, the city has reported minimal incidents, with only a few minor fender benders and no serious injuries. However, there have been some complications, including several jackknifed semi-trucks at the intersection of Creighton and Scenic Highway, leading to road closures.
Essential services, including fire, police, and Pensacola Energy, remain operational, though some non-emergency services like sanitation have been temporarily suspended. The mayor indicated that garbage collection might resume by Friday at the earliest, with possible extensions into the weekend or Monday.
The blizzard has garnered national attention, with The New York Times covering Pensacola’s response to this unprecedented snowfall. Mayor Reeves continues to work closely with state agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation and the Division of Emergency Management, to manage the ongoing situation.
As the city navigates this unusual weather event, Mayor Reeves emphasized the importance of continued caution: “If we can all keep the temptation of one more night at least, of getting on the roads just because we feel like it, that’ll put all of those agencies in a better place.”
