HAZMAT Emergency Causes Hours of Gridlock on Highway 98 Staff Reports February 11, 2026 1:18 pm Public Safety, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Who: South Walton Fire District, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Emergency Management What: Hazardous materials spill involving an unknown liquid chemical When: Wednesday morning, Feb. 11, 2026 Where: Thompson Road and U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach Why: A chemical reportedly spilled from a truck that left the scene SANTA ROSA BEACH — A hazardous materials spill temporarily shut down a portion of U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach on Wednesday morning, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and hours of traffic disruption, according to a post on The South Walton Fire District’s Facebook Page. Emergency crews were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. after 911 callers reported an unknown liquid chemical spilling onto the roadway, producing visible plumes of smoke near Thompson Road and U.S. Highway 98. The vehicle believed to be responsible for the spill was no longer on scene when first responders arrived. The South Walton Fire District, working alongside the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Walton County Emergency Management, secured the area and temporarily shut down eastbound traffic while the hazard was assessed and contained. Officials also coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure the roadway could be safely reopened. Fire officials confirmed the chemical spill was contained to the immediate area and did not pose an ongoing threat to nearby residents or property. The primary impact, officials...
Read More
