Residents Encouraged to Monitor Potential Severe Weather Through Thursday, Feb. 18

The National Weather Service in Mobile has forecasted a risk for severe thunderstorms across the entire area late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. A slight risk for severe thunderstorms is in place by the Storm Prediction Center across far southeastern Mississippi, southwestern Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. Potential threats include damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

Cold Weather Safety

Citizens are also urged to remember the five P's of cold weather safety:

Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is essential to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Remember to check on young children and the older family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
Protect Pets: Be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay inside.
Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures.
Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to drip to prevent freezing and to break slowly.
Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames. Space heaters need space! View cold-weather heating safety tips here.

"We are encouraging residents to be mindful of severe weather alerts," said Interim Director of Public Safety Eric Gilmore. "Weather conditions can change rapidly. We want residents to ensure that they keep a close eye out. There are multiple ways to receive alerts."

For more information, monitor the local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management, US National Weather Service Mobile, and Florida SERT.

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.