Skyline Fire Department firefighters used a boat to help 12 people and four dogs leave their Edith Avenue homes because of rising floodwaters in central Santa Rosa County.

 

 

Rivers

• Based on a forecast model from the River Forecast Center, Blackwater River in Milton is expected to crest at 10.2 feet on Monday morning. At 4 p.m. today, the river was at approximately 7 feet and rising.
• Residents living within .5 mile of the Blackwater River should take protective actions immediately, if they have not yet done so. Even citizens living in elevated homes may need to evacuate as roads may be impassable due to flooding.
• Continue to monitor the water levels in your area and remember conditions can change very quickly.
• Residents living near county rivers are urged to monitor water levels on exit roads as driving through raising flood waters is extremely dangerous.  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.”
• Emergency Communications sent a reverse 9-1-1 message to 1,498 residents located in a .5 mile radius of Blackwater River today urging caution and protective action.
• Public safety officials are asking boaters to stay off the river until the water has receded to normal levels due to hazards caused by debris and possible additional damage to structures caused by wave action.
• The American Red Cross is on standby to open a shelter if needed. Residents who plan to evacuate and need shelter are asked to call the Emergency Management Office at 983-5372.
• At 4:15 p.m. today, Coldwater was reported at 16.2 feet, flood stage is 11 feet.
• Staff will continue to monitor all local rivers.

 

 Bridge ClosuresThe 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.   

• Springhill Road
• Deaton Bridge Road
• Red Rock Road
• Gordon Land Road
• Walling Road
• Hamilton Bridge Road at the Pond Creek Bridge
• Amos Cabaniss Road

 

 

Road Closure/Impassable RoadsMany low lying areas near county rivers are flooded and are expected to flood throughout the day today, and into the evening. 

• Wallace Lake Road at Serenity Springs Road
• Edith Avenue
• Bucket Creek Road
• River Creek Road
• Lakeside Court
• Peggy Lane
• North Airport Road north of River Road
• River Road
• Sellersville Road- Culvert washed out

 

   Weather Outlook We are expecting additional rainfall on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  If rainfalls totals are large, more flooding could be possible in our area. Emergency management officials are monitoring.  General Safety Information

• 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