PENSACOLA, Fla. — Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for five Florida Panhandle counties, with voluntary evacuation calls issued for three additional counties as a hurricane approaches the region.
Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall Friday night, bringing heavy wind and dangerous storm surge to coastal areas, including Pensacola.
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Local officials and emergency response teams in Northwest Florida are preparing for major storm surge as conditions deteriorate along the coast. The Pensacola Police Department announced plans to close city bridges once sustained wind speeds reach 38 mph.
The planned bridge closures include the bridge leading to Pensacola Beach. Although evacuation from Pensacola Beach is not mandatory, authorities recommend residents evacuate while the bridges remain open.
In the heart of downtown Pensacola along Palafox Street, business owners took precautions against the anticipated storm surge. Most storefronts placed sandbags outside their doors and several businesses boarded up windows.
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Action News Jax reporter Madison Foglio reported from five to seven feet above sea level near Pensacola Bay, where choppy waters indicated rising conditions.
Many area residents expressed concern that the incoming storm surge could mirror the damage caused by Hurricane Sally in previous years.
For some residents, the storm represents their first experience with hurricane conditions. Ben Legg, a local resident who moved to Pensacola at the end of July, explained his preparations as the storm approached.
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“Just moved here, end of July. I’m interested to see the flooding, I guess,” Legg said.
Neighbor Mike Lizama said that securing basic provisions and backup power was his main priority ahead of landfall.
“Food, water, ice, you know, being sure everything’s gassed up, everything’s powered up, charged,” Lizama said.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall later tonight. Pensacola police will continue monitoring wind speeds to execute bridge closures when sustained winds reach 38 mph.
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