Winter Storm Warning Issued for Pensacola Area
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The National Weather Service forecasts a 50% chance of 1 to 3 inches of snow on Tuesday. If snow does not materialize, the region is expected to face freezing rain and ice accumulation. The advisory will remain in effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, prompting both counties to implement widespread closures and schedule changes to prepare for severe weather conditions.
In Pensacola, city administrative offices, City Hall, and community resource centers will be closed on Tuesday. Pensacola State College has suspended all on-campus activities but will continue online classes as scheduled. Similarly, the University of West Florida has canceled all Tuesday classes, events, and online courses and is closely monitoring weather updates to determine Wednesday’s operations.
Escambia County Shuts Down Services
Escambia County has announced a full-day closure of numerous offices and services, including the Board of County Commissioners departments, public libraries, the tax collector’s office, the supervisor of elections, and the property appraiser’s office. Waste services administration and the Perdido Landfill will also be closed.
Escambia County Public Schools have suspended all classes and district operations, with the monthly school board meeting postponed to a later date. Additionally, all early voting locations in the county will be closed on Tuesday, but hours have been extended on Sunday and Monday to accommodate voters.
The Town of Century has also closed its offices and postponed its regular town council meeting to Thursday. The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will shut down its offices until further notice due to the anticipated weather impacts. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has canceled its Citizens’ Advisory Committee meeting and delayed sanitation collections by one day for the rest of the week.
Santa Rosa County and Milton Join Closures
Santa Rosa County is taking similar precautions, with all county offices, facilities, and schools closed on Tuesday. Schools will remain closed on Wednesday as well. Early voting hours have been canceled for Tuesday, with extended hours available on Sunday and Monday. The Central Landfill will close at noon on Tuesday, while sanitation services will be rescheduled accordingly.
The City of Milton has also announced closures, including City Hall, Parks & Recreation, and all community center activities. Meetings such as the Police Chief Candidate Review and the Planning Board session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, have been canceled and will be rescheduled. The Fellowship of Churches’ MLK Day Parade and Celebration, originally planned for Monday, has also been called off due to the weather.
With these closures in place, officials across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are urging residents to prioritize safety and stay informed of further updates regarding the storm and its aftermath.
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