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OCSO: Icy Brooks Bridge remains open but ‘treacherous’ in Fort Walton Beach

Single-digit wind chills and icy roads continue to impact Okaloosa County as officials warn drivers about treacherous bridge conditions, particularly on Brooks Bridge.
Vehicles navigate the icy Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach as construction barriers line the roadway, where officials report vehicles struggling with hazardous conditions Wednesday morning. (OCSO)

An Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy reported Wednesday morning that vehicles were struggling with ice on Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach.

  • “Cars are getting stuck. They can’t get up the ice. The cars going down the other side are sliding,” the deputy said. “We recommend that you do not come to the Brooks Bridge unless you have to.”

Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox warned that road conditions are unlikely to improve Wednesday, though areas receiving full sunshine may see some relief. He cautioned that any lingering moisture will refreeze quickly after sunset.

An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through 10 a.m., with another warning likely to be issued later Wednesday. Wind chills will stay in the single digits to teens, briefly rising into the upper 20s to lower 30s in the afternoon.

  • Areas with snowpack may not rise above freezing all day, Maddox said, with temperatures expected to drop into the teens again Wednesday evening.

Officials will decide mid-day Wednesday about Thursday operations for county services and schools.

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Community Comments

“This article is obviously written by someone with 0 knowledge of the area. The erosion happening now is because " The Wall," as anyone that's been here since the 70's...”
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“How are peoplele going to swim when there are nets every few feet??”
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“I'm looking at this paragraph and thinking, why would city officials allow a DO in 2009 to be vested for 22 years? Wouldn't you think they'd realize the traffic increases...”
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“Why so many boot lockers here”
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“This is bs. They just allowed the county”
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“There have been no parking signs for years. No one follows them.”
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“Mr.Siegel, you say we own the Air Force? Keep it up with the negative sentiment, and watch the Air Force close off each side of 98 with fences topped with...”
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“When I was A Deputy with the Sheriff's Office I was issuing county ordinance citations to people who were parking on the right-of-way along the area of the sea wall...”
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“I will continue to go there and enjoy my time on this earth. This is bs. They just allowed the county to gangrape the south side of 98, directly across...”
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