Santa Rosa County updates evacuation zones

To prepare for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season, lasting until 30 November, Santa Rosa County releases updated evacuation zone maps.

By Gulf Breeze Sentinel

Gulf Breeze Sentinel, Copyright 2021

admin@gulfbreezesentinel.com

To prepare for the Hurricane Season, with the effects of Hurricane Sally still fresh on the minds of many of the residents, Santa Rosa County this week released new and updated hurricane evacuation zones. Part of a concerted effort across the state to revise evacuation zones according to updated storm surge models by Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Santa Rosa County revised their models.

The majority of the land in Gulf Breeze falls under evacuation for Hurricanes greater than or equal to a Category 3 strength, or Category D. Much of the higher land along the Pensacola Bay has this higher evacuation threshold, but the lower land along the Santa Rosa Sound is recommended to evacuate with even a tropical storm, with the southernmost portions of the city being in Evacuation Zone A.

Once outside of the official city limits, the Highway 98 corridor is some of the safest land on the peninsula, with evacuations only for a Category 4 or 5 closer to the city limits, Category E, and inland land closer to Navarre not even being classified as an evacuation zone.

Large portions of Garcon Point, the entirety of the land in the southern river basins of the Escambia, Yellow, and Blackwater Rivers are reccomended to evacuate with a tropical storm, if needed, and all hurricanes. The entirety of Navarre Beach is also in Evacuation Zone A.

Be in the Hurricane Know for Hurricane Zones

Evacuation Zone A- Evacuate for all hurricanes and if ordered to do so, for tropical storms. All mobile home residents should evacuate.

Evacuation Zone B- Evacuate for hurricane category 1-5. All mobile home residents should evacuate.

Evacuation Zone C- Evacuate for hurricane category 2-5. All mobile home residents should evacuate.

Evacuation Zone D- Evacuate for hurricane category 3-5. All mobile home residents should evacuate.

Evacuation Zone E- Evacuate for hurricane category 4 and 5. All mobile home residents should evacuate.

IMPORTANT INFO:

All mobile home residents should evacuate if ordered by local officials.

Your property may be located in multiple evacuation zones. This search defaults to the lowest zone for the entire property. If your home is in a zone which no evacuation has been called for, it may be safe to stay. 

It is important to check the evacuation zones of the streets in the area. If the streets flood, you may be unable to leave until the water recedes.