Rescuers reach those cut off by storm
Second round of floods expected day after Sally
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Rescuers on the Gulf Coast used high-water vehicles Thursday to reach people cut off by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, even as a second round of flooding began taking shape along rivers and creeks swollen by the storm’s heavy rains.
Across southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, homeowners and businesses began cleaning up, and officials inspected bridges and highways for safety, a day after Sally rolled through with 105 mph winds, a surge of seawater and 1 to 2½ feet of rain in many places before it began to break up.
Its remnants continued to push deep inland with heavy downpours, threatening flooding across the South all the way to Virginia.
In hard-hit Pensacola and surrounding Escambia County, where Sally’s floodwaters had coursed through downtown streets and lapped at car door handles on Wednesday before receding, authorities went door to door to check on residents and warn them they were not out of danger.
At least eight waterways in Alabama and the Panhandle were expected to hit major flood stage by Thursday. Forecasters warned that some could break records, submerge bridges and swamp homes.
“Please, please, we’re not out of the woods even if we’ve got beautiful skies today,” said Escambia County emergency manager Eric Gilmore.
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis likewise urged Panhandle residents not to let their guard down even though the hurricane had passed, saying: “You’re going to see the rivers continue to rise.”
Crews carried out at least 400 rescues in Escambia County by such means as high-water vehicles, boats and water scooters, authorities said.
Rescuers focused their efforts Thursday on Innerarity Point, a narrow strip of land close to Pensacola with waterfront homes and businesses and where floodwaters covered the only road out.
The Florida National Guard said it had deployed about 500 soldiers and airmen to help local authorities evacuate 113 people.
In Alabama, on both sides of Mobile Bay, National Guard soldiers from high-water evacuation teams used big trucks Thursday to rescue at least 35 people, authorities said.