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Milton hurricane guide
Milton is the Santa Rosa County seat, built along the Blackwater River at the head of Blackwater Bay and home to NAS Whiting Field. Its hurricane threat is less about Gulf surge and more about river flooding, rain and inland wind.
Santa Rosa CountyCounty emergency management
Zone checkRiverfront and bay areas in zones; much of town outside
Aug–OctPeak local hurricane risk
Hurricanes that hit Milton
- Hurricane Georges (1998) stalled and dropped well over 20 inches of rain in parts of Santa Rosa County, sending the Blackwater River to major flood stage.
- Hurricane Ivan (2004) brought damaging hurricane-force gusts far inland and bay surge up Blackwater Bay.
- Hurricane Sally (2020) caused widespread rain flooding and river rises across Milton and the surrounding area.
See the full Pensacola hurricane history for details on each storm.
Evacuation in Milton
- Low areas along the Blackwater River and Blackwater Bay can fall in evacuation zones — check your exact address.
- SR-87 and SR-89 run north toward Alabama; I-10 and US-90 run east-west.
- River crests often come one to three days after the storm, so stay alert after the wind ends.
Local preparation tip
Inland does not mean safe from wind: Milton routinely sees tropical-storm and hurricane-force gusts. Mobile and manufactured homes should evacuate for any hurricane.
Current alerts
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