Escambia County is monitoring a High Risk for severe weather today, Thursday, June 18, with additional rainfall expected to continue through Friday, June 19. Residents are encouraged to monitor the risk and have multiple ways to receive weather updates.
The National Weather Service of Mobile has issued a High Risk for excessive rainfall today for Escambia County, which is a rare designation issued by the Weather Prediction Center when numerous flash flooding events are expected, including the potential for life-threatening flooding. Rounds of heavy rainfall will affect the area through Friday, June 19, with a Flood Watch remaining in effect through Friday evening.
Escambia County is also under a Tornado Watch through 5 p.m. today, Thursday, June 18. Widespread flash flooding may lead to numerous roads flooded, closed, or washed out. Additional threats include isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts.
Visit MyEscambia.com/beready for flooding safety information and tornado safety information.
Key Messages from National Weather Service:
- Particularly dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding today.
- Multiple rounds of showers and storms capable of producing torrential rainfall are expected through Friday and may linger into Saturday.
- Rainfall totals of around 6-12 inches are most likely through Friday with locally higher amounts of 15+ inches possible, especially in high risk areas.
- Considerable flooding likely with catastrophic flooding possible.
- Timing
- Rounds of heavy rainfall will continue to impact the area through at least Friday afternoon.
- The greatest threat of life-threatening flash flooding exists today.
- Actions
- Stay weather aware and be ready to take urgent action if Flash Flood Warnings are issued, particularly wireless emergency alert flash flood warnings or considerable and/or catastrophic flooding.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown!
The sand is available starting today, Thursday, June 18. Sand is available on a first-come, first served basis, and locations are open 24 hours a day.
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations (map):
- 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
Sandbags can be purchased at most local hardware or home improvement stores, typically for a low cost.