01/24/2025
FINAL WINTER WEATHER UPDATE:
Please read the caption on the post below
Friday, Jan. 24, 1:30 p.m. - this is our final winter weather update
Hamilton Bridge Road in Milton has reopened between Windham Road and the Pea Ridge Connector. Motorists should still use caution in that area.
Roads
- All Santa Rosa County roads and bridges are considered passable with some hazards. Patchy ice is still possible in shaded areas.
- Public works crews will continue to monitor the roadways until conditions have improved. With higher temps (10 hours of above-freezing temperatures) and abundant sunshine, more melting of ice/snow will happen on Friday and road conditions are expected to improve drastically. Motorists should still exercise caution in shaded areas.
- Report road issues at www.santarosa.fl.gov/FormCenter/Public-Works-7/Citizen-Work-Request-48.
- Any road closures can be viewed at www.santarosa.fl.gov/293/Current-Road-Bridge-Closures.
- For updates on major roadways controlled by the state, visit FL511.com.
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County Offices and Other Constitutional Officers
- All Santa Rosa County offices resumed normal operating hours Friday., Jan. 24.
- The Santa Rosa County Tax Collector is closed Friday, Jan. 24
- The following offices are open Friday, Jan. 24:
--- Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts
--- Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
--- Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
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Early Voting
- Early Voting will resume and both early voting locations will be open on Friday, Jan. 24. Early voting hours will be extended from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25
There are two sites for Early Voting in Santa Rosa County:
- Main Supervisor of Elections Office in Milton; 6495 Caroline St. Ste F, Milton FL 32570
- South Santa Rosa Service Center (Annex) in Gulf Breeze; 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32570
Please visit www.votesantarosa.gov or call 850-983-1900 if you have any questions.
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I-10 Update
Information provided by the Florida Department of Transportation:
I-10 is now reopened in both directions (eastbound and westbound) from Mile Marker 70 (State Road 285) to the Alabama/Florida State Line.
For real-time traffic updates, check https://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html or FL511.com.
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Cold Weather Shelter
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton, will be open 24 hours from Friday, Jan. 24 until 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26.
No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. each night unless brought in by law enforcement. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests.
- Volunteers are still needed for Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26. Shifts are in two-hour increments and there will always be at least two volunteers present at all times. To see available shifts and to sign up to volunteer, visit https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0F44A5AC2DA1FDC16-54474634-cold.
- Santa Rosa County's cold weather shelter is operated by Ferris Hill Baptist Church, utilizing volunteer resources and donations. It opens each night weather is forecasted to drop below 40 degrees, typically November through March. The shelter is for people who are homeless or cannot maintain heat in their homes, can care for themselves, and are not at risk to themselves or others. No one will be admitted to the shelter who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unable to walk unaided or disoriented.
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Weather update from the National Weather Service in Mobile:
Lows on Friday night are expected to drop into the 20s in northern areas of Santa Rosa County and low to mid 30s closer to the coast.
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5 P's of Cold Weather Safety:
- Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
- Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
- Protect Exposed Pipes: Cover pipes and outdoor faucets. On occasion, outdoor faucets may need to be allowed to slowly drip to prevent freezing and breaking.
- Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures or bring potted plants inside.
- Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
