Flooding expected in Milton, Santa Rosa County

Santa Rosa County Weather Update

Rainfall totals for the event to date:

* Center of county-13 inches
* South of Milton- 5-6 inches

Rivers

* Blackwater is currently at 15.5 feet expect to crest tomorrow
morning near 20 feet, and expected to be back below flood stages by
Tuesday. According to Mobile Weather Service Blackwater has not seen
flooding of this magnitude since 1975 when it reached 19.45 feet.
* Residents along Blackwater River should take any needed
protective actions immediately. Even citizens living in elevated homes
may need to evacuate as roads may be impassable due to flooding.
* Residents who plan to evacuate and need shelter are asked to
call the Emergency Management Office at 983-5360.
* Coldwater is reported at 8.5 feet, flood stage is 11 feet.
* Staff will continue to monitor all local rivers.

Emergency Crews had to assist the following due to flooding, no injuries
reported

* One residence on Hwy. 197/Chumuckla
* One residence on Allentown Road
* A vehicle on Mittie Crain Road in Munson
* Vehicle on Wagner Bridge on Springhill Road
* 23 campers at Tomahawk Landing, first rescue by bus, now rescue
boats are being used due to impassable roads
* 25 campers at Blackwater River State Park are unable to leave
due to flooded roads and rescue crews are assisting as roads are
impassible
* Campers on Big Cold Water Park on Horse Shoe Loop Road were
evacuated.
* Sinking vehicle on Jimmy Lewis Road


No Emergency Assistance Needed

* Water has been reported in a home in the 9100 block of Byrom
Campbell Road.
* One residence on Annie Penton Road left on their own due to
rising water/water in their home.


Bridge Closures

The listed bridges and, any other county maintained bridges that are
flooded, should not be crossed until public works inspections have been
completed, after the water recedes. Motorist should always avoid
crossing flooded streets and should never attempt to cross flooded
bridges.


* All bridges are closed on:

* Springhill Road
* Deaton Bridge Road
* Red Rock Road
* Gordon Land Road
* Penton Road
* County Road 178 (Spanish Trail)
* Walling Road
* Cobbtown Road
* Hall Road
* Hamilton Bridge Road at the Pond Creek Bridge
* Country Mill Road
* All county maintained bridges (small) on Coldwater, and
Blackwater Rivers and Juniper Creek


Road Closure/Impassable Roads

Please note some roads are being closed due to the threat to homes from
wave action produced by cars driving through standing water.

Most low lying areas of the county are flooded and are expected to
remain flooded throughout the day today, and into the evening. Standing
water creates a serious road hazard, even when only a portion of the
roadway is flooded.

* All bridges on Coldwater, and Blackwater Rivers and Juniper
Creek
* All of Munson Highway
* Tree reported on Oglesby Road, .25 miles from Hwy. 87 North
* Saddle Club Road
* Carr Road at Shell Road
* Intersection of Howell Pit and Hwy. 197- reported three feet of
water
* Intersection of Hwy. 4 and Hwy 191- reported three feet of water
* Smith Wixon Road
* Munson Highway just north of Buddy Hardy
* 9600 block of Hwy. 87 North
* Pace Patriot Blvd.
* Country Mill at Hwy. 87 and Little Tack Lane
* Whitfield Road
* Ellis Road
* Hwy. 4 between Lewis Road and the Berrydale Prison Camp
* Howell Pit Road
* 490 block of Hwy. 182
* Fedelis Farm Road
* Chumuckla Highway south of Brook Forrest Way is closed due to
standing water on the road.

General Safety Information

* Residents, especially in the northern end of the county are
asked to stay off the roads. Most deaths from flooding in the United
States are due to people driving their cars into flooded areas. For
pedestrians, just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock a person
off their feet- "When in doubt, stay safe and back out."
* Please monitor your home weather radio and local media outlets
for the most up-to-date information.
* Your best defense in any disaster is a NOAA Weather radio.
* Citizens can signup to automatically receive breaking news
alerts from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management via e-mail or as a
text message on their cell phone at:
http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/publicwarning