News | Flood Defenders

Hurricane Sally's Historic Rain, Storm Surge Flood Escambia (PHOTOS)

Written by Jeff Kopman | Sep 25, 2020 3:00:00 PM

Escambia County's hurricane and flood risk became clear after Hurricane Sally dumped more than 2 feet of rain and caused nearly $30 million in damages, according to early estimates from both Pensacola and Escambia County officials.

Storm surge reached 5.6 feet in Pensacola, according to the National Weather Service. Sally's surge ranks third-most all time for the city, behind only Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and the Great Miami Hurricane in 1926.

These images from Pensacola put those eye-catching numbers into perspective.


Downed trees and flooding in West Pensacola near the Bayou Grove and Mulworth neighborhoods. The area received a lot of damage after Hurricane Sally came through as a Category 2 storm. (Credit: Bryan Tarnowski for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A person looks at a flooded neighborhood as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.


John Terrezza looks out at a flooded street in front of his home as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.


Boats are seen pushed up against a building at Lost Key Marina & Yacht Club after Hurricane Sally passed through the area on September 17, 2020. The storm came ashore with heavy rain and high winds.


Damaged boats are seen in the Palafox Pier Yacht harbor marina after Hurricane Sally passed through the area on September 16, 2020.


Members of the Pace Fire Rescue department wade through a flooded road after Hurricane Sally passed through the area on September 16, 2020.


Heather Bordeaux and Mike Bordeaux look out at a flooded street in front of their hotel as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.


A vehicle is seen abandoned in a flooded road after Hurricane Sally passed through the area on September 16, 2020. 


People look out onto the flooded street in front of their hotel as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.


Vehicles are seen in a flooded street as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.


Brian Buckley walks through a flooded street as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on September 16, 2020.

Photos courtesy of Joe Raedle and Getty Images.