Santa Rosa County residents urged to monitor Isaac

Updated: Friday, 24 Aug 2012, 10:52 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 24 Aug 2012, 2:35 PM CDT

• Russell Colburn

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Santa Rosa County wants its residents to watch Tropical Storm Isaac closely and start getting prepared now. The county has a plan in place to provide sand bags to secure housing and has drafted a list of steps people can take now.

Going into the weekend, county officials are stressing residents to stay alert and informed.

"The number one thing we need people to do is to monitor their local media outlets over the weekend," said county spokeswoman Joy Tsubooka.  "There's a lot of uncertainty in the current forecast track, and we need people to stay on top of it so that they'll be able to take any actions in the storm speeds up or the track changes."

Tsubooka said activation at the Emergency Operations Center could come as early as Monday.

In the meantime, the county would like to see households go over their evacuation plans and get disaster supplies together.

"It's a good time when you're out and about doing your shopping or going to the beach, you stop and top off your car with gasoline. We're not looking for people to start going out and hoarding items at the moment, but there are little things that you can do in your daily life that's going to make your preparations a lot easier and your ability to weather the storm easier," Tsubooka said.

And the county plans to help, placing sand at various locations for people to gather and use to secure doors.

Officials in Santa Rosa County are also recommending people clean up their yards so something like a branch doesn't turn into a projectile.  Snap some photos of your house and yard for insurance purposes.

Beach goers need to heed red flags as the surf almost certainly won't stay calm.

"Probably the most important thing that we've learned is every storm is different," Tsubooka said.  "You need to take all precautions before the storm hits because you never know what the impact is going to be."

Photos: Tropical Storm Isaac 

Sand & Bags

Sand and sand bags are available at local home improvement stores for purchase. Santa Rosa County is making limited supplies available at no cost at several locations. Residents should bring shovels and be prepared to fill and load their own bags. County and fire department staff ARE NOT available to make home deliveries. If fire department staff are on calls, they will not be available to hand out sand bags.

• Sand only is available at the following locations while supplies last.

-Tiger Point Park-1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze 
-The intersection of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton

• Empty Sandbags (25-bag limit per vehicle) while supplies last at:

-Midway Fire District Station at 1322 College Pkwy. 
-Midway Fire District Station at 1801 Abercrombie Rd.

Sand & Sandbags (25-bag limit per vehicle) while supplies last at: 
Pace Fire Rescue District at 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Steps Residents Can Take Now

• Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed red flag warnings and stay out of the water as deadly rip currents and rough surf conditions are expected.
• Review your family disaster plan. Don’t forget special plans for elderly, handicapped, children and pets.
• Know your evacuation zone. Remember, evacuation zones are now A-E. Use the interactive evacuation zone tool found at www.santarosa.fl.gov/gis by typing in your address to see what zone you live in.
• Make plans to secure your property. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your structures/homes. Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and down spouts.
• Make sure your hurricane kit contains non-perishable food, water, medications for three to five days for each family member and pet.
• Know what low-lying areas near your home are subject to flooding such as creeks, drainage channels, streams and bayous.
• Santa Rosa County Division of Emergency Management’s latest all-hazards disaster guide is now available online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/news/factsheet/2012%20Disaster%20Guide.pdf or at county offices and libraries, local chambers of commerce, and local retailers.

General Safety Information

• www.santarosa.fl.gov or follow us on Twitter at @SRCBOCC
• Please monitor your home weather radio and local media outlets for the most up-to-date information.
• Your best defense in any disaster is a NOAA Weather radio.
• Citizens can signup to automatically receive breaking news alerts from Santa Rosa County Emergency Management via e-mail or as a text message on their cell phone at:www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency/publicwarning.html