Santa Rosa sheriff orders curfew after Isaias knocks out power, traffic lights
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson ordered a countywide dusk-to-dawn curfew Oct. 10, citing the threat of looting and dangerous intersections as Hurricane Isaias left most of the county without power and most of its traffic signals.
Johnson, citing data from power-outage trackers, estimated that more than 90% of the county’s residents were without power and that more than 80% of the traffic lights were out. He said there is no timetable for when power will be restored and that the curfew would remain in effect until the emergency is over.
Employees who have to work and travel before sunrise and after sunset are exempt from the curfew, according to county officials.
‘We’re going to implement the curfew, we’re going to enforce it, and people need to heed it,” Johnson said during a press conference at the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center Saturday.
Johnson reminded drivers that they must come to a complete stop at any intersection where the signal is out before proceeding.
County Commission Chairman Colten Wright said the county’s initial damage assessment found most residential damage limited to trees, fences, sheds and some roofs. Forecasts called for storm surge anywhere from 6 to 9 feet in some areas, Wright said the county was “grateful” to avoid those impacts.
County Administrator Brad Baker said the county’s emergency operations center lost power as winds picked up and worked through a series of generator failures overnight and through the morning. The primary generator ran about four hours before shutting down on a fuel code, which Baker said could be tied to gas leaks in the area.
A backup generator ran another eight hours before a sensor overload tripped it.
Officials than moved 911 operations to the sheriff’s office. The county’s citizen information line also went down during that period but has since been restored.
Baker said road-clearing crews began operations as soon as the winds died down, working with the sheriff’s office, fire rescue, and National Guard units helping as well. Crews are prioritizing critical infrastructure and access to major highways.
The county has brought in ambulance strike teams, fire teams and additional National Guard units, with more road crews are on the way.
“We’re in this for the long haul,” Baker said.
Baker said debris removal will take about four weeks and that the central landfill will be reopen Monday. The county will release more details on how to stage and separate debris for pickup.
The county is working with the state and FEMA toward a disaster declaration, Baker said. Residents with structural damage are being asked to report it through the Santa Rosa Couty Property Appraiser’s website.
Baker said the county does not plan to set up distribution points for supplies in areas where stores are open, but they have pre-ordered water and supplies for areas where power restoration takes longer.
Public Safety Director Tom Lloyd urged residents to stay off roads so responders and recovery crews can work.
“We’re seeing injuries associated with debris removal, so please take your time, use proper safety equipment and don’t take unnecessary risks,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd asked residents to reserve 911 for emergencies and call the county’s citizen information line at 850-983-4636 for non-emergency. Officials also urged residents to rely on official county channels and local media rather than social media.