Heavy rains flood homes, jail in Fla. Panhandle

MIAMI (AP) ? Floodwaters from torrential rains damaged homes and closed roads throughout the Florida Panhandle, cutting power to the county jail and sending residents to emergency shelters as the area braced for additional rains Sunday.

More than 600 inmates at the Escambia County Jail were without power and air conditioning after the rains left more than 5-feet of water in the bottom floor, which also houses the laundry and kitchen facilities. Extra deputies were brought in to beef up security, and generators powered lights outside the facility to shine into the jail. Officials worked Sunday to pump out the excess water and assess the damage.

"The whole electrical system is underwater. It's going to be extensive damage," said Sgt. Mike Ward.

The parking lot of the sheriff's office was completely flooded, leaving some patrol cars and other fleet vehicles with water up to the hood. Some homes and businesses also had several feet of water inside, he said. Authorities estimated $3 million to $4 million in damages at the sheriff's facilities.

More than 100 residents spent the night in three Red Cross shelters in Escambia County on Saturday night, including residents from a 50-unit apartment. Navy officials also set up housing for residents of a 22-home subdivision evacuated because of flooding, according to Red Cross officials.

It's difficult to assess the damage because many roads in Escambia County are still flooded. Emergency officials planned a more thorough inspection Monday after the waters recede.

Escambia officials asked residents to stay home and not travel as more rainfall was expected Sunday night.

Much of the water had receded in nearby Santa Rosa County, but the area was under a flood warning. One fire department was offering 25 sandbags per person as the area braced for the possibility of another 4 to 8 inches of rain.

About 40 homes had some level of flooding around the city of Gulf Breeze, where heavy rains left about 4 feet of water. Fire rescue officials were still assessing the extent of the damage Sunday. One person was rescued from a car stranded in the high waters. Three swimmers were taken to the hospital Saturday night after getting caught in rough waters, Santa Rosa County spokeswoman Joy Tsubooka said.

"I have never seen rain like that before ... yesterday it was torrential for extended periods of time, like two or three hours it didn't let up at all," she said.

A Santa Rosa Sheriff's deputy also reported large amounts of debris after a tornado touched down near a flea market, but there was no major damage to buildings.

Associated Press

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