Escambia County, FL
10/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 12:07
Escambia County Deploying Resources Ahead of Hurricane Milton
Escambia County is mobilizing and deploying resources to assist areas of the state expected to be impacted by Hurricane Milton, standing ready to help neighboring counties and the state with storm preparation and recovery.
Escambia County Emergency Management has already deployed to Levy County to support emergency operations ahead of Hurricane Milton, working in the Levy County Emergency Operations Center in Bronson, Florida. The county's mobile command unit, THOR, will deploy after Hurricane Milton makes landfall to support rescue and recovery efforts in Central/South Florida, with the location to be determined by the state depending on the storm's impact. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management will also deploy with THOR to assist impacted areas.
"We are always ready to respond to the call for help when our neighbors need us, and this storm is no different," Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. "Hurricane Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall, and we will continue to be here to help impacted communities before, during, and after the storm. As always, it is an honor and a privilege to be there for our sister counties during difficult times like this."
The American Red Cross will open a shelter for Hurricane Milton evacuees at the Pensacola Bay Center today, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. The shelter will be pet-friendly, with Escambia County Animal Welfare providing assistance with managing pet sheltering operations. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola.
Escambia County's Animal Search and Rescue, or ASAR, team is also standing by for deployment. The ASAR team has members from Animal Welfare and Escambia County Fire Rescue who are trained to respond to disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or other large-scale animal rescue incidents.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is accepting equine and small livestock evacuees from Hurricane Milton on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact the Equestrian Center at 850-941-6042 or 850-554-1155, or email [email protected].
Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue are also standing by and are ready to deploy if requested by the state.
"Escambia County will continue to provide any resources we can to assist those impacted by Hurricane Milton," Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said. "It's times like this when it's imperative that we all come together to support our neighbors, and I am incredibly proud of our team for always being ready and willing to answer the call for help. We will continue to pray for the safety of everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton, and Escambia County will remain ready to help them in any way we can during this difficult time."
Escambia County Emergency Management has deployed to Levy County to support emergency operations ahead of Hurricane Milton, working in the Levy County Emergency Operations Center in Bronson, Florida.
Escambia County's mobile command unit, THOR.
Escambia County's Animal Search and Rescue Team during a previous a water rescue training.
Escambia County's Animal Search and Rescue Team during a previous a water rescue training.