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Gulf Breeze hurricane guide
Gulf Breeze is a city on the peninsula between Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, connected to downtown Pensacola by the Pensacola Bay Bridge (the “Three Mile Bridge”). Low-lying waterfront areas are in Zones A and B, and every route off the peninsula crosses water or heads east along US-98.
Santa Rosa CountyCounty emergency management
Zone checkWaterfront in Zones A–B; inland areas vary
Aug–OctPeak local hurricane risk
Hurricanes that hit Gulf Breeze
- Hurricane Ivan (2004) drove surge into bayfront and soundfront neighborhoods and damaged thousands of roofs.
- Hurricane Dennis (2005) came ashore just east on Santa Rosa Island with intense winds.
- Hurricane Sally (2020) brought long-duration winds and flooding; the Pensacola Bay Bridge was knocked out by loose barges, forcing a long detour through Garcon Point or I-10 for months.
See the full Pensacola hurricane history for details on each storm.
Evacuation in Gulf Breeze
- Main routes: US-98 west over the Pensacola Bay Bridge, US-98 east to SR-87 north through Navarre, or SR-281 over the Garcon Point Bridge toward Milton.
- Do not count on the Bay Bridge staying open — it closes in high winds and may be damaged.
- Gulf Breeze residents in Zone A or B should plan to evacuate early and inland.
Local preparation tip
Many Gulf Breeze homes back onto canals and the sound; even homes outside FEMA high-risk zones flooded in Ivan and Sally, so flood insurance is worth a hard look.
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