City of Pensacola Hurricane Sally Update: Residents Urged to Stay Home and Off Roadways
The City of Pensacola is continuing to experience impacts from Hurricane Sally, and residents are urged to stay home for their safety. A Flash Flood Emergency is in effect for Pensacola until 5:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Visit nhc.noaa.gov/#Sally for the latest information on Hurricane Sally.
City Updates:
- Initial reports include significant flooding, downed trees and power lines, power outages and multiple traffic signal outages. The city has started initial damage assessments from Hurricane Sally, and crews will continue until the assessments are completed.
- Multiple roadways in the city are closed or impassable due to flooding, downed power lines and other debris. For a real-time road closures map, visit pensacolapolice.com.
- The city is aware of multiple flooded facilities and roadways, and we appreciate the public's patience as damages are assessed.
- If you see a downed tree, power line or other non-emergency issue in the City of Pensacola, please call 311 or report it online at cityofpensacola.com/311.
- At this time, Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department are only responding to critical, life threatening emergencies due to high wind gusts and unsafe conditions.
- PFD and PPD have responded to multiple calls to rescue people from cars. Onlookers are putting themselves and first responders at risk and taking resources away from those who are experiencing critical, life threatening emergencies.
- PFD has been coordinating with a National Guard high water response vehicle to rescue multiple occupants trapped due to high waters.
- PFD responded to a residential structure fire on 9th Avenue at approximately 6 a.m today, Wednesday, Sept. 16. Despite dangerous conditions with high winds, PFD crews were able to extinguish the fire and rescue the occupants. PPD transported the occupants to the Pensacola Bay Center shelter.
- Pensacola Energy crews are responding to calls for service south of I-10 and will respond to calls north of I-10 when conditions are safe. If you smell natural gas or see a damaged gas line, please call Pensacola Energy at 474-5307.
- Pensacola International Airport is closed until further notice.
- City of Pensacola offices and community centers will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 17. Essential personnel will be working.
- City Sanitation Services are suspended for the remainder of the week. Sanitation Services will resume Monday, Sept. 21 on a regular pickup schedule.
Post-Storm Safety Information
There are many potential hazards after a hurricane. Remember to follow these safety tips from ready.gov:
- Avoid carbon monoxide exposure by taking precautions with gas-powered appliances and charcoal or gas grills.
- Never use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows, or using fans, will not prevent CO build-up in the home. Click here for more carbon monoxide safety tips from the Florida Department of Health.
- Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris, and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while working with someone else. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if they do not have an allergy to mold. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
- Continue taking steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, such as washing your hands often and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
- Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
- Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.
For the latest updates, please follow the City of Pensacola on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.