The board approved the declaration and a related budget amendment in a 3-0 vote, with Commissioners Kerry Smith and Bobby Burkett absent from the meeting. County Administrator Brad Baker said the declaration will last seven days and allow the county to buy emergency supplies and issue evacuation orders.
“This is supposed to be a pretty fast-moving storm, so hopefully it’s cleared out of here by late Saturday afternoon,” Baker said. “We’ll plan for the worst and hope for the best.”
As of the 7 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Isaias is currently 385 south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River moving east-northeast at nine miles per hour. The storm is currently a Category 1 hurricane, with 80 mph winds.
Santa Rosa County is currently under a Hurricane Warning and Strom Surge Warning.
Tom Lloyd, the county’s Public Safety Director, said conditions will begin to worsen by Friday afternoon. Storm surge, which is expected to be at least seven feet, will peak Friday night.
The county expects flooding concerns across the area, with up to 6 inches of rain, reaching as high as 10 inches along the coast. Santa Rosa County will also face a tornado threat.
Rip currents and dangerous surf conditions are expected to last until Saturday.
“Even though it may be beautiful outside…the Gulf is still going to be angry,” Lloyd said.
Baker said he expects voluntary evacuations to be announced mid-day Thursday for zones A and B, which will follow an 11:30 a.m. call with the National Weather Service in Mobile. If the order is given, the order would likely be enforced around 7 a.m. Friday.
The Milton Community Center will be open to the public beginning 8 a.m. Friday for a shelter. Families with pets are welcomed. Other shelters are on standby and will be coordinated with the American Red Cross.
Baker said residents in mobile homes or structures they don’t consider safe are encouraged to stay with friends or family.
Bridges will be closed when sustained tropical storm force winds go above 39 mph. Baker said emergency responders will stop answering calls when conditions become too dangerous.
Lloyd also stressed residents to only call 911 for emergencies. For information, call the county’s citizen information line at 850-983-4696
