Hurricane Irma Update: Monitor and prepare
Current Situation
City offices and programs remain open and city officials remain in close contact with the County’s Emergency Operations Center staff. City officials are closely monitoring the weather forecast and we are taking necessary precautions. Residents are urged to do the same by monitoring our local media for the most up-to-date forecasts daily.
There ARE NO evacuations ordered for Escambia County residents at this time.
Escambia County Emergency Operation Center is at a level 3, or monitoring level. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and through the weekend to provide our residents with the most up-to-date hurricane information.
The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to level 1, which is a full-scale, 24-hours-a-day activation.
The Florida Emergency Information Line has been activated and is available 24/7 for families and visitors at 1-800-342-3557.
Weather Status (National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center)
Irma is an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane and will likely make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane. It will bring life-threatening wind to much of the state.
Irma continues to track to the WNW at 16 mph and a turn to the northwest is expected on Saturday afternoon and evening. Based on the latest forecast track, this would take Irma northwest through the Florida peninsula Sunday and Monday.This track will keep the main impacts well east of the area.
However, breezy to windy conditions can be expected Sunday into Monday and a wind advisory may be required for parts of the area.
Keep in mind that some fluctuations in track and intensity are still possible.
Host Shelters
As requested by the state, Escambia County and the American Red Cross are opening a host shelter at the Pensacola Bay Center located at 201 E. Gregory St. starting
at 5 p.m. - The shelter is for south Florida evacuees. There are currently NO EVACUATIONS ordered for Escambia County.
- Evacuees with pets and special needs will be accommodated at the Bay Center.
- Parking is on the Alcaniz Street side.
Additional shelters will be opened as needed and directed by the state of Florida.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is being open as a host shelter for evacuees’ horses. Stalls and RV sites are available at a nominal cost on a first come, first served basis.
For more information, visit https://myescambia.com/our-services/parks-and-recreation/equestrian-center/equestrian-center-as-a-storm-shelter
Pensacola International Airport
While many southern and eastern Florida airports are closed, Pensacola International Airport is currently open and will remain open as long as Hurricane Irma does not severely impact our area.
Passengers with scheduled travel to impacted areas are strongly encouraged to monitor the status of their flight by frequently visiting their airline's website.
Parks and Recreation
At this time, all city owned facilities and sponsored events/programs are open and/or going on as scheduled. In the Centers, after school kids may come today at no charge (they will need to bring a lunch). Non-city sponsored event/program decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the event/program organizer.
City Sanitation and Trash Pickup
There are currently no changes at this time in trash pickup scheduling.
Hotels/Lodging
The Escambia County area hotels are at 92-98 percent capacity through the weekend. Currently, the interstate accommodations are the most occupied, with openings on Pensacola Beach.
Visit Pensacola has information available at
https://www.visitpensacola.com/emergency-updates/Through VISIT FLORIDA’s partnership with Expedia,
Expedia.com/Florida has been activated to provide accommodations availability information for visitors, residents and first responders.
VISIT FLORIDA’s Welcome Centers have transitioned to emergency information centers to help direct evacuees with the most up to date information.
Gas/Fuel
Gov. Scott has taken several actions to help mitigate fuel shortages, read more at
http://www.flgov.com/2017/09/07/gov-scott-were-working-aggressively-to-get-more-fuel-to-gas-stations/To check fuel availability online, go to
https://gasbuddy.com
Schools
Gov. Rick Scott is directing all public K-12 schools, state colleges, state universities and state offices to close Friday, Sept. 8 – Monday, Sept. 11.
ACT tests scheduled to be given in any Escambia County public schools tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 9
th, have been cancelled.
State Offices
Governor Rick Scott has directed all state offices in all 67 Florida counties to close Friday, September 8 – Monday, September 11
Traffic/Roads
The Florida Department of Transportation, working with the Florida Highway Patrol, has implemented a limited Emergency Shoulder Use plan for Hurricane Irma evacuations on I-75 at Wildwood to the Georgia state line.
Motorists should only use the left shoulder when directed by law enforcement and highway signs. The Florida Department of Transportation is suspending construction work and lane closures throughout the state in preparation for evacuation routes.
The toll at the Bob Sikes Toll Plaza onto Pensacola Beach remains lifted, as do tolls around the state.
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