Residents Encouraged to Monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

Escambia County residents are encouraged to monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which is expected to continue to strengthen into Tropical Storm Helene by Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. While there is still uncertainty in the storm's eventual track, residents are reminded to remain weather aware.

Although Escambia County is currently outside the track of the storm, the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama is projecting tropical storm-force winds, potentially as early as Wednesday evening. Hazardous marine conditions, dangerous surf, and rip currents are expected to begin on Thursday.

Today, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-208, Emergency Management - Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, declaring a state of emergency in 41 Florida counties, including Escambia, ahead of the storm.

Escambia County is offering sand for residents living in flood-prone areas Monday, Sept. 23. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis and locations are open 24 hours a day. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations (map):

• Baars Field Athletic Park - 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park - 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park - 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center - 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department - 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
• Ferry Pass Middle School - 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street)
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park - 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola

Residents can sign up for Alert Escambia emergency updates through the Emergency Management website.

With the possibility of localized flooding, one of the most important hurricane preparation steps Escambia County residents can take is to know their evacuation zone - either A, B, C, D, E or none. Look it up at MyEscambia.com/KnowYourZone.

More information on what to do before, during and after a storm is available online at MyEscambia.com/BeReady. You can also follow @BeReadyEscambia on Twitter, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook, and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram for the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting our community.

Weather update from the U.S. National Weather Service (updated Sept. 23)