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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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“I think that is a very wise decision to make. Safety first always”
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“Like it or not but Fort Walton Beach is dying, it's becoming just like Navarre but with some big box stores and no growth. All the shopping is in Walton...”
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“There's many examples of cities doing this and being later forced to later take them out. Essentially you have a constitutional right to face your accuser. Automated citations mean no...”
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“Kell- Aire Dr. Could definitely use some new lines on the street. TY”
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“11 mph is 50 percent of the typical school limit of 20 mph. Seems lax with most drivers cruising through school zones at 30 mph.”
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“I hope P Johnson gets to visit here so I can tell him to his face to keep his mouth shut about my town”
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“So an unknown third party, will have access to very clear images of all our kids?”
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“Automated speeding cameras to issue tickets should be illegal. The only people who benefit are the people collecting the money. The citizens of Fort Walton Beach need to vote those...”
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