Public Safety Director Pat Maddox is keeping a close eye and ear open for any information regarding public safety.
“Next step right now for us is to continue to monitor and make sure that the wind field is out of the area. Although there is no precipitation associated in the south end of the county, we’re still seeing cameras shaking down there, so we think there’s still some good heavy gusts coming in,” Maddox said.
The high wind field, along with flooded roads, creates an equation where staying indoors is the correct solution.
“Right now, they need to remain in their homes until they get the all-clear. I am going to be monitoring that very, very carefully, and when I see that tropical wind field move out of the area completely on radar, I will put out an all-clear,” Maddox said.
Maddox summarized that citizens need to make sure it is safe to proceed outside before choosing to do so. Power lines may be down and could energize standing water, so waiting until daylight visibility is the safest way to do so.
With floodwaters already in Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach area, Maddox reminds people of the mantra, “turn around, don’t drown”.
“We don’t want a whole lot of people driving around to see what’s going on. There’s going to be plenty of places where people want to drive through water. The ‘turn around, don’t drown’ mantra is huge because I can’t tell you that there’s concrete under that water,” Maddox said.
The safety rescue team is on standby for anyone who may need emergency assistance.
“We’re closely monitoring 911 calls in those areas, so that our state resources for high water rescue, swift water rescue, and things like that, we can get to them quickly,” Maddox said.
