Area Evacuations and Storm Surges

Local television station WEAR-TV reported at 11:45 a.m. that a storm surge of 8 to 10 feet now is expected in Escambia County coastal areas.

Navarre Beach is under a Santa Rosa County mandatory evacuation order for "all waterfront areas and all residents who live within one quarter mile of a water body... ."

A new publication calling itself the EscaRosa Press reports that:

Evacuation of Navarre Beach is in progress due to broaching of Gulf Boulevard by wave action. All residents and guests of Navarre Beach are advised to seek shelter. Sheriff Department and Fire Department personnel are proceeding door-to-door on Navarre Beach to advise residents of the need to evacuate the beaches.

Okaloosa County announced evacuation plans yesterday in a pdf file on its web site:

"Voluntary evacuation begins at noon on Saturday with mandatory evacuation at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Evacuation orders include all coastal areas surrounding U.S. Highway 98 and near Choctawhatchee Bay, all barrier islands, trailer parks, campgrounds and flood-prone areas.

Local television and radio stations report that the City of Destin has ordered mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, but no link is available yet.

Escambia County is opening select storm shelters. There still is no word as yet about mandatory evacuations for low lying areas.