Panama City Beach: The West Is The Best!

Flag Status Update September 25, 2020 – Panama City Beach Flags Are Now Yellow

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Beach and Surf Patrol have sent a beach flag status update today, September 25, 2020. Panama City beach flags are now Yellow

Always remember that you have to check the actual flag at the beach before entering the water!  Remember to always swim with caution and, an absence of flags DOES NOT mean the water is safe.

Depending on what end of the beach they start on, it can sometimes be a few hours before the flags are changed on this end of the beach.

More Beach Flag Resources

Flag Status Update September 25, 2020 – Panama City Beach Flags Are Now YellowRead More

How Does the PCB Beach Flag System Work?

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Beach Access FlagHave you ever wondered how the Panama City Beach flag warning system works?

We specifically wanted to learn how the process for changing the flags works, who’s in charge, and how is the flag color decided?

We contacted City Hall to track down who to speak to about it, and we were put in touch with Debbie Ward who was kind enough to answer our questions.

Who manages the beach warning flags in PCB?

There is a new process as of less than a month ago. Here is an overview:

  • The city fire department manages the flag system, as of October 2019.
  • Beach Rescue Division employees physically get in the water each day to evaluate conditions and make their own decision…usually about 9:30 AM.
  • Flag changing starts at 9:40 AM and usually takes about 30 minutes and is done by 10:10 AM or so.
  • When the physical flag updates are complete, the city queues an update to “Alert Bay” and the update is sent out via text. (You can sign up to receive these texts here.)
  • Lastly, the flag status is updated at the pcbgov.com website.

Why are the beach flags on West End PCB sometimes different than what the text says the flag status is?

This is where things can get a little confusing for us on the West End.

  • The city Fire Department is responsible for flags between beach access entrances 24-76 which includes 28 flags (not counting private flags)
  • The city can opt to fly different flags than Bay County if they feel conditions warrant a different flag.
  • Private flags may fly city or county at their discretion.

So, technically, the flags on West End PCB are changed by the Bay County Sheriff’s office, and they can be different than the city flags as we have seen this past summer. We haven’t been able to reach anyone yet at Bay County Sheriff to ask them about how their process works for changing flags, but we’ll update this post when we do.

How do you report broken PCB beach flags?

To report broken flags between Beach Access 24 -76, contact Debbie Ward or the Fire Department. For all other Bay County flags, contact the Bay County Sheriff’s office.

****** CITY INFO ******

Debbie Ward
dward@pcbgov.com
850 233 5100

****** Bay County Info ********

Bay County Sheriff’s office controls the flags outside the city limits.

Bay County Sheriff
850 747 4700

Bay County Sherriff Facebook »
Bay County Sherriff Website »

How Does the PCB Beach Flag System Work?Read More

Local Art Coming To Panama City Beach!

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Hey, West Enders! A “grow the arts” project is in the works in Panama City Beach. Panama City Beach is partnering with the Sunshine Art Center. The plan is to install marine life statues around Panama City Beach, and then allow some lucky locals, not professional artists, to customize the statues! Cool!

In an area dominated by tourism, Helen Ferrell, spokeswoman for the Sunshine Art Center, believes it’s time for the city to focus more on its residents and give them some artistic freedom.

It was this idea that paved the way for a recent partnership between her group and the city, which will work to install marine life statues around PCB that will be painted by select members of the community.

About the project, City Manager Tony O’Rourke says “We’re not hiring professional artists,” he said during the city council meeting. “The greatest art comes from the people.”

“… It’s an important investment to celebrate the identity and the character of this community, and the use of sea life, I think, is fantastic,”

I’m with Tony, I think this is fantastic, and I plan to apply. According to Helen Ferrell, spokeswoman for the Sunshine Art Center, they are currently working to complete the application. Once ready, interested parties can submit applications to beachartgroup@att.net.

Read the full article.

Local Art Coming To Panama City Beach!Read More

Flag Status Update May 28, 2020 – Panama City Beach Flags Are Flying Yellow

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The Panama City beach flags are flying Yellow (see photos below) but Beach Patrol has not updated the official flag status on the city website....not sure why? We just called the Beach Patrol number and they said that Yellow is the official status right now. You can also see the flag is yellow at the beach cam at Sandpiper Beacon.

Always remember that you have to check the actual flag at the beach before entering the water!  Remember to always swim with caution and, an absence of flags DOES NOT mean the water is safe.

Depending on what end of the beach they start on, it can sometimes be a few hours before the flags are changed on this end of the beach.
Yellow flag today - WestEndPCB

More Beach Flag Resources

Flag Status Update May 28, 2020 – Panama City Beach Flags Are Flying YellowRead More

PCB Flag Update – Flags Are Now Yellow – February 28, 2020

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Beach and Surf Patrol update: the flag status has been downgraded to YELLOW, today, February 28, 2020. We’re still looking for that first Green of 2020…. aaaaany minute now…

Always remember that you have to check the actual flag at the beach before entering the water!  Remember to always swim with caution and, an absence of flags DOES NOT mean the water is safe.

Depending on what end of the beach they start on, it can sometimes be a few hours before the flags are changed on this end of the beach.

More Beach Flag Resources

PCB Flag Update – Flags Are Now Yellow – February 28, 2020Read More

Yellow Flag